My health has been pretty all over the place as has my ability to stay focused on a book without some complications. I stumbled across a short story from Tor (Always a good time) that my brain could finally handle!

We follow Theresa, a young girl who was given away by her birth mother in exchange for something from a woman who can make your needs happen and who speaks to the bees. She grows up calling this magical woman Mama, and helps her with the people who come asking for help while also attending school with a girl who she grows infatuated with, and who she will risk everything to help.

It’s a really good short, and one written in that delightful magical realism style where the magic is matter of fact but also very ethereal. Theresa is an interesting lead, one who has lived a mostly sheltered and seemingly directionless life without wanting much more than the attention of one girl from school. And when she gets it, things fall apart very quickly.

Overall, it was a lot of fun. It’s also available in full for free on Tor’s site, so do check it out when you have the chance!