Setting

The short story “Winona Forever” by Leesa Cross-Smith takes place in the 1990s. There are several references to nineties pop culture. Heather mentions the movies Reality Bites and Mermaids, both starring Winona Ryder, as recent movies. She also mentions Tristan and Jamie skateboarding and listening to Nirvana. The atmosphere is described as “so nineties, so grunge.” Also, there is no mention of cell phones or computers, and the girls watch the movies on VHS tapes on their VCR. 

The setting appears to be a typical suburban town in America. Crystal and Heather’s families seem to be well-off and live in typical suburban houses, with a backyard and a front porch. Crystal has a big bedroom with her own bathroom and a TV, as well as a VCR and a stereo. Heather’s family buy her a car as a gift: “a little white hatchback I loved”, when she is old enough to drive. 

Most of the action takes place in Crystal’s room, where the two girls cry and make out. In the second part of the story, which takes place two years after Amber’s death, the girls venture out of their comfort zone. They drive around in Heather’s car around the neighborhood, hoping to catch a glimpse of the boys they like as they dr...