#tom pyun

For Part II, click here. Emma and the Love Spell by Meredith Ireland (MG) The Cuffing Game (YA) and Love in Focus (F/F Romance) by Lyla Lee Beating Heart Baby by Lio Min (YA) I Leave it Up To You by Jinwoo Chong (Litfic) Something Close to Nothing by Tom Pyun (Litfic)

I was six years old when my father told me he was going to die. I’d just taken his blood pressure. While I squished and pumped the black rubber ball with my little fist and watched the nylon cuff wrapped around his arm inflate, my father held the gauge close to his face. Just as I was taught, I listened intently for the muffled beating of his heart through the stethoscope and called out, “Start.” When the low pulse disappeared, I said, “Stop.” He twisted the release valve and the cuff hissed.