Love Drenched in Blood

ys, Santino had bee

derstanding" at the police station, becau

as showing signs of prenatal depression and sug

pot and said he would t

s favorite

ere we had first fa

d out that o

gnant, which had been loose back then, b

myself in

limbs swollen, faint

eup and lipstick, trying to

nd saw me all dressed up

, maybe even admirati

usually gentle, and even rea

'll keep you company, I promise. Pho

hing in my chest sp

really di

really was just

d the dishes, al

movements practiced and familiar

phere was

ut to bring up

ingtone shatte

inctively, his hands

nything. I jus

ted, then

el

nt... All the lights went out... I'm scared of the dark... the elevator is shaking... I'm really scared... I called

ression chang

Hit the emergency button! What floo

ng the shrimp he

ave to go? You can call 911 for her. Santino... to

led halfway i

in his eyes, but it quickly ha

reaks all the time. What if it falls? You're an adult. You can take care of yourself. You eat fi

hat, he wa

ed. He didn't look b

it started pou

gh I was heav

had just given him

watched the glow of his tailligh

in my hear

too independent-and

t need

the counterfeit vers

of the rest

wind slapping droplets ac

ning, staring at the n

it was time