I thought paper cuts were like lightning

I thought paper cuts were like lightning-brief and fast and sharp. But sometimes, they take a while and linger. Painful, yes. Unexpected, yes. But not quickly

Looking through a desk full of bills and finding an old letter she had sent. Written on the back of a Shoney's kids menu.

Play dot to dot with the Shoney Bears!

I unfolded the paper and read a short note in her trademark script- Ss that slid left to right and Ls that looped up and around.

I bit my lip and decided to keep it and as I folded the edges it slit a thin red line across my left index finger. This was going to take a while to heal.