A few months back, my dear friend Rosi Golan invited me to write a piece for her “What They Don't Know” Substack series on grief. This was the result, originally published on her page June 11. My apologies if you’ve already read this. I usually put up something brand new for Substack Saturday, but this week was a special kind of mayhem (I’ll fill you in it at some point). Also, I immersed myself in working on my book and felt reluctant to leave that world. As far as this piece, if you’re an ugly crier, maybe read it in private. Or, fuck it, let it all hang out.
Grief Manicure
By Holly Solem
Okay, grumpy-pants, I think as I sit down, smile and offer my fingers for inspection. She refuses to smile back as she forces my left hand into the bowl of toxic liquids. I can feel my bony fingers absorbing them. She takes my right hand and scrapes and scrapes at the navy blue, gel varnish that’s been crusted on there for weeks. I hate getting my nail…
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