Rowan Finley
Bio
Father. Academic Advisor. Musician. Writer. My real name is Jesse Balogh.
Stories (1215)
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My Favorite Boss
I cried when she told me that she was retiring. In her office, on the other side of her desk, I just let the tears fall down on my lap. Though she didn’t verbalize this at the time, I believe she was a bit shocked by my reaction. I rarely ever cry in front of anyone. Honestly, my intuition told me that she was going to retire soon. I just knew the time for her retirement was coming. There are some bosses that you just bond with in a unique way and that’s how I was with Renee. She helped hire me for my first full-time job. I knew how she wanted things done and any mistakes I made, I was quick to correct them once I discovered them.
By Rowan Finley 2 years ago in Confessions
Distractions of Anorexia
She looked down at the lettuce forlornly. Food… She didn’t understand why it was a necessary evil. She just wished so desperately that she could live off of air and not have to consume anything. The thought of being fat was the worst. She fidgeted in her seat, looking around the room. Her thumb and index finger circled her wrist. It was a habit. Everything was a series of events. Going to a party meant lots of people. People meant lots of food. The sight of food was overwhelming. She always felt worried about how food was cooked. Butter and grease and calories, it all made her uncomfortable. Food meant discomfort. The smell of food made her stomach anxious. It always seemed like people around her were constantly trying to get her to eat more. A random woman walked by and casually said, “You need a cheeseburger honey, that salad ain’t gonna cut it.”
By Rowan Finley 2 years ago in Fiction
1955
I was a bit of a southern belle without the rich family. At the time, I never would have thought that I was college material. Sweet Alabama accent. I was the humble and sweet type of girl, like apple pie on a Sunday afternoon. One thing led to the next and I became college material. In the midst of your herd of fraternity boys, you took one look at me and said, “That’s the girl I’m gonna marry.” I thought to myself - what an arrogant hothead and turned the other way to head back to the dorm. Well, one thing led to the next and I became your wife in 1955 and we had five children! Three boys and two girls. As I rest in my wheelchair now, I think to myself how stubborn you used to be. I wonder what you’re up to on the other side of eternity. I bet you’re just as stubborn as ever but maybe for other reasons.
By Rowan Finley 2 years ago in Fiction
1977. Top Story - June 2024.
1977 - I remember the year like it was today. Newly nineteen and newlyweds. Your hair was like goldenrod. Your dress framed your body perfectly. Your lips sang to me all the way down the aisle. We were young and smart, not dumb, I think. You are still my sweet everything after all these years. It brings tears to my eyes when I think about how well we still suit each other. You make familiar look gorgeous! Thank you for trusting me and caring for me the way you always do. I sometimes get lost with dreams but you always do the best to make those dreams reality.
By Rowan Finley 2 years ago in Poets
