Prompt: That's a funny shade of green.
I studied her hair, looking past the drying blood, and the tangled mess, I saw the subtle specs of grey. I noticed her skin: more spots; more lines; more texture. Age will sneak up on you if you’re not paying attention. Especially when you’re not paying attention. Then I met her eyes. They seemed greener than I remembered. But more welcoming now. Derek loved my eyes. Derek loved me; and, I loved Derek. That magic kind of love that begins with endless anticipation and endures hardship. He’s in the next room now, still loving me. The first time he hit me, I knew he still loved me. Loved my eyes. Loved my thighs. By the seventh time, I lost sight of myself. What did I do to make him this way? I stopped seeing myself altogether after the sixteenth time. After fifty, I no longer looked for myself. That’s also when I stopped counting. Why couldn’t I get it right? Do it right? I tried for so long to change, to be the woman he wanted me to be; needed me to be. “Hello, old friend, I’ve really, really missed you,” I whispered again. I started to understand the woman looking back at me. We both smiled again. I wanted to hug her. She’s not broken. She didn’t get anything wrong. It took nearly two decades, some burnt toast, and a bloodied hammer, to finally see that; to finally fix it. Derek’s in the next room now. They’ll be here soon to collect him; collect me too, I expect. I hope there’s a mirror where I end up. I look forward to spending a lot more time with her. As I heard the sirens approaching, I reflected on the day we met: “Hi, I’m Derek. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” “Hi Derek.” I smiled. “I’m Jade. It’s nice to meet you too.” “Jade? That’s a funny shade of green, isn’t it?” “Just like my eyes.” “Your eyes are beautiful, Jade. Can I buy you a drink?” “I’d like that, yes.”
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Many voicesMany Authors. Each month a new winning piece will be published. Past Winners
October 2024
|