Photography © Chad Parenteau

 

Hallmark

Season’s greetings
or congratulations?
Happy birthday!
or, maybe: it’s a girl!
(it’s actually not)
Happy anniversary
10th? 11th? 12th?
Wish you were here!
(but I don’t)
Happy Father’s Day!
(to who? not you)
Happy Graduation!
(oh sorry, that one was for me)
Get well soon!
(rehab again?)
Happy engagement!
(heard she’s my age)
Good luck!
(goodbye)

I’m sorry for your loss.

 

Selena Thomas is a Creative Writing Major at Carson-Newman University. They have a passion for writing, drawing, and playing video games in their free time. They have lived in Tennessee their whole life and hope to become a published author in the near future.

Chad Parenteau is Associate Editor of Oddball Magazine. The coffee shop in the photo replaced a Starbucks at that Boston location. This makes him happy.