Best of Ohio Short Stories

"Pigtail Fatty"

by Jennifer Bryan

Stephanie Kramer was fat, with fleshy knees and fleshy arms that blobbed from the white halter-top tied around her neck. She wore her hair severely parted, like a sidewalk crack, and braided. Each braid curled around her ear before reaching her shoulders, where they ended in a tiny red eyeleted ribbon that matched the red shorts she wore. On her left ring finger, pressing hard on the bone, the skin swelled around a small gold band. Around her neck she wore a matching cross, and on her feet, cheap pink flip-flops, a lazy flower glued to the wishbone straps. She smelled like cherry Jolly Ranchers. 

columbus creative cooperative, Volume II, 2016

Cover Art: Brad Pauquette and Melissa Pauquette