It’s the stumble before the fall. You did not know it would come, but now, as gravity draws you near, and you wait for pain to rattle through your outstretched arms — palms, wrists, elbows— you know there’s nothing else quite as real.
Curious eyes study you, taking in your answers, verbal and otherwise.
You look through their beautiful depths, searching for some sign of admiration, interest will do. All you find is curiosity, which couldn’t even keep the cat dead.
Perhaps you should confess now. How would that go? Spewing truths like you won’t have to be held accountable for the collateral.
“Cat’s out of the bag now.” You’d say, “Might as well let it play in the yard for a while.”
When you speak next, the room stills, just for a moment, for a breath to catch. Then the laughter erupts. You are relieved to see the curious eyes light up in delight with the rest of them.
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