A Public Execution
by Upasana Pradhan
She dreams of a death by hanging, her own neck the subject of a grand spectacle for floating eyes. We are sitting inside the café opposite to Peggy Sue’s in Heaton. Between a biteful of a Biscoff muffin and a sip of her sugared latte, she speaks of a death well-earned. This yellow top and denim outerwear clad human grins from ear to ear at the prospect of doing something revolutionary. Something atrocious enough to make the lawless execute their harshest punishment. I am jolted by the violence of it. Can Amaltas not live a life significantly longer than the plants she owns and waters?
I watch the fizzle in her eyes burst into excitement as she rolls out a section of her will – specific books from her collection will get passed on to chosen loved ones. The rest will exclusively be housed inside a library. All of her clothes will go to her sister.
Yet, she says that she is not brave enough and proceeds to dust the fantasy off her shoulders. We get up and leave the cups with our stained lips behind.
I watch the fizzle in her eyes burst into excitement as she rolls out a section of her will – specific books from her collection will get passed on to chosen loved ones. The rest will exclusively be housed inside a library. All of her clothes will go to her sister.
Yet, she says that she is not brave enough and proceeds to dust the fantasy off her shoulders. We get up and leave the cups with our stained lips behind.