It took three scissor chomps to sever the top of her long, thick ponytail. In her hand, the remains felt like a limb she never thought she’d be without. But her stepmom would be horrified to see her pretty hair gone. She couldn’t wait to show Judith what she’d done.

Kate Faigen’s stories have appeared in Maudlin House, The Daily Drunk, and Reckon Review, among others. She would love another Twitter follower: @k8faigen.