They say that before you die, your whole life flashes before your eyes. The violent drunk my mother married, after deciding not to dump me, procreates without needlessly. I'm their punching bag, the bastard, the maid, never the child. They grow up bad and do the same: violent drunk, kids by the score, torment. I turn around enough to pass my umbilical cord around my neck. In a room full of grown men and singing children, an unknown woman holds a cake with five candles in front of me: come on, blow. Why risk it?
Cristina Daniela Dumitru-Pascal
When I met him he was over 40 and looking for his great love. Does it matter whether you find her or the years you spend with her, I asked him. You're at an age and you don't know if the rest is mini or maxi. If you were the time, what would you do for yourself, how would you get through? When we met again he told me laughing, I found her. I have a home too. And to answer you, time for us has changed its value, a week is like a month, a month like a year, we have plenty of time to live our love. Better to be happy for a second than miserable for a lifetime.
Vero Anttheia Teodoru
There comes a time for everyone, a time when dignified withdrawal is the only thing you can do. Look in the mirror, you'll know if it came. It's best to prepare ahead of time, so it doesn't take you by surprise. The attic should be tidy, airy, uncluttered. Contemplate everything quietly with a smile on your face and then welcome Her, the smallest death you think doesn't suit you. Sit comfortably in the big box, enjoy the ride afterwards with the hearse that may be pink with blue bows.
(Translated by Iulia-Mihaela Țugulea / University of Bucharest, Faculty of Foreign Languages and Literatures, MTTLC, year I / Corrected by Silvia Petrescu, coordinator of the translations)
Versiunea în română a acestui text se poate citi aici, în rubrica Ficțiuni Reale.