His Innocent Obsession

ther, though something in

le, unnatural quiet that seemed to press against the walls. Our apartment alwa

threadbare rug that barely covered the chill of the wood beneath. I stayed in bed a little longer than I sh

er the covers.

wasn't allowed out after dark. I didn't have friends. I hadn't even had my first kiss. He said it wa

to beli

asn't s

. My nightgown clung to my thighs - soft, faded cotton, with a little tear near

e-night television murmur

gn of

my voice echoing too l

ans

to the kitch

d in my father's uneven handwriting and

eady

. No greeting.

ately - taking calls in hushed voices, locking the door to his office, avoiding my questions. Sometimes men

e walls. Then glass breaking. He came out wit

t belie

ns. That was the unsp

inning to wonder

I noticed something laid carefully acro

dr

ne of

ng to itself like liquid fire. The bodice was tight. T

for it, letting my fingers slide across the fa

meant fo

ally. I was still trying

f why it was there, I he

ice. Low. T

xpression drawn. His suit looked borrowed. Slightly too big

wear that ton

. "What's

id, avoiding my gaze. "To hel

ed back at the dres

dn't

oulder. It was the first time he'd touched me in weeks

ldn't ask if it wasn't important. Yo

p h

wh

ed. My hands tre

ight him. I di

odd

weak smile.

ving the scent of cheap co

dress, It felt l

aring at myself in the cracked bathroom mirror

soft, pale, quiet. The kind of girl men never noticed. But t

I'd never thought twice about. The bodice pushed up my breasts, made me look fuller than

were pink. My lips bare. My ey

hell is

or pulled me back

said, unsure

me too fast, too nervously. He didn't say I l

nothin

down the stairs and

. Expensive. Driven by a man in dark sungl

sita

r touche

mured. "They'll tak

h

eart skipping. "Wh

answer. He

forehead like I was

hat, the door c

the vents, brushing over my bare shoulders. I sat stiffly, knees tight together,

something changed. The city slipped away, and we beg

went, the mor

of dinne

it, something in my ch

ground like twisted arms. Beyond it, stone pillars lined a circular drive, leading to

iver's window. Words were exchanged quietly. Then the ga

t beat

ust a

ust a

t just

eased

anked by statues-goddesses with blank eyes and broken wings. Inside, the entryway swallowe

een anywher

t belon

greeted me. She looked me over without smiling,

, hoping to s

oor shut

music and chatter from the front parlor fading into muffled ghos

asp

were o

Five

seduce. Some sat on the edge of plush sofas, others stood by th

a streaking down her cheeks. Another stared strai

t is this?"

e ans

alread

been a gift. It

were th