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455words
My mother's texts bombarded me daily.
Calling me an animal, a whore, asking why it wasn't me who died.
I stopped reading them.
My moods were unstable like a bomb. If it went off I might lose control.
I hired someone to clean the place.
The shattered pieces couldn't be put back together so the cleaner asked if I wanted them thrown away.
I stared at what she held and shook my head.
After she left, I went to meet a friend.
Sophie worked out of state and was in town on business.
We met for dinner at a Western restaurant — a place for couples. Piano music flowed in the background.
Sophie hugged me the moment she saw me,
"You look so thin. I thought Jason would spoil you until you were plump and happy." I didn't answer.
She picked up on my mood and asked bluntly, "Is he treating you badly?"
I deflected: "We barely get together — let's not talk about him tonight."
The food came.
Sophie teased me about her coworkers and made me laugh.
Just as I was about to take a bite, my smile froze.
The restaurant was perfect for couples: atmosphere, roses on the table.
But the couple shouldn't be Jason and his assistant.
He pulled out her chair like a gentleman.
The beautiful woman thanked him with a smile.
Roses bloomed on the table.
A diamond ring catching the chandelier's light made my eyes sting.
Perhaps I looked too long.
Jason seemed to notice.
When his eyes met mine, he gave a smile devoid of warmth.
The next second he reached out to tuck Kelly's hair — affectionate, intimate.
Sophie followed my gaze and saw it too.
She snapped, grabbed the wineglass and stood.
"Don't." I grabbed her hand, pleading "Don't go."
She met my tearful eyes, hesitated and finally sat back down.
I dug into my purse, hands trembling, and popped the pill bottle open. The stomach pain ebbed when I took the pills.
The meal was ruined.
When Sophie and I stepped outside, we passed Jason and Kelly.
Sophie finally couldn't hold it in.
Her bag knocked a wineglass off the table and it shattered.
Red wine spread like a stain.
Sophie said flatly, "My apologies."
Kelly's face tightened, ready to argue with Sophie.
But when she saw me, the hostility vanished into a smile: "What a lovely couples' spot."
"You like it?" Jason said.
"I'll bring you here often."
I didn't look at them.
I stared at the puddle of red on the table as drops fell to the floor.
Sophie sensed something was wrong and stepped in front of me, blocking my view and dragging me away quickly.
