His eyes dart around, sure that you’re alone in the dimly lit
hallway. Finally they rest upon you, full of cold fury. You
flinch.
‘What were you thinking? I told you not to talk about that. It
was such a simple request and you couldn’t even do that.’ His
whispers are slaps, each striking with a frightening accuracy.
‘I-I’m sorry. She asked me. I didn’t know what to do.’
‘You didn’t know what to do,’ he sneers. ‘Well take a note here.
If you ever embarrass me in front of anyone like that again...’
His hand grips the fleshy upper of your arm as he pulls you to
him, his fingers digging in. His pupils are dilated, the brown in
them no longer visible. They look empty.
‘Never again, you hear me?’ He shakes your arm hard, waiting
for an answer.
‘Never.’ The words die at your lips. There’s a pause before his
hand loosens; before he drops your arm like it’s garbage.
You’re nothing more than dirt to him. You disgust him.
‘Go clean yourself up. You’re a mess.’ Straightening his jacket
he walks back to the party, not even glancing back at you.
You wait for a drunken man to pass before heading for the
ladies room. Women are preening in the mirrors, painting
themselves with lipstick as you slip unnoticed into a tiny stall.
The metal lock tumbles and you sit down silently. You bring
your knees up beneath your chin as you cry silently to
yourself. You are careful not to make a sound, not one, as you
hold yourself and break in the cramped stall. No sounds. No
sniffing. Don’t breathe in. Don’t breathe out.