Crack the Spine - Issue 106

turn toward the couple and her face will disappear into darkness. My heart’ll race faster, coercing my eardrums into rhythmic collaboration, squashing my lungs, robbing me of the ability to speak as I anticipate her smile and the dreams of the future we’ll share.

And then she’ll turn back to me and say with contempt.

“How embarrassing.”

My smile, though I’ll try to stop it, will melt away.