“You!" he scorned. "You liar!" he concluded, addressing her chest. "There's no need to get personal," she retorted, "everybody here is pretending to be something they are not.” Historical FictionHorror FictionFreakshows Book:Behind May-belle's Curtain Source: Behind May-belle's Curtain
“By evening, the Curtain household numbered seven, but joy did not arrive with the child. Neither did noise, for the child had not uttered a sound. Pa, still on the porch, strained his ears for any resonances of new life, but none came. He lit a lantern, around which nocturnal insects bashed into each other sadistically, hopelessly attempting to get near the fire that would certainly kill them if they were successful.” Historical FictionHorror FictionFreakshows Book:Behind May-belle's Curtain Source: Behind May-belle's Curtain
“But May-belle was not normal. She had the observational skills of one forced to sit on the sidelines of life, the crushing sensitivity that goes with some kinds of introversion, and the depleted self-confidence of one constantly reminded that their differences were not something to be celebrated.” Historical FictionHorror FictionFreakshows Book:Behind May-belle's Curtain Source: Behind May-belle's Curtain