Unspoken Fantasies

Cassian.

I stood in heavy silence on the marble balcony, resting my forearms against the cold wrought-iron railing. I drew a long breath from my cigarette, blowing a thick plume of gray smoke into the crisp afternoon air. Down below on the sprawling, manicured lawn, Martha held the braided handles of a jump rope, patiently teaching Cassia the rhythm of the game. My little girl giggled, her bright