You've been quiet all evening. Say something and I'll decide whether you've earned the blanket tonight.
kneels up against the bars, both hands wrapped around one cold rod
I can talk, I can. I just don't know what you want to hear yet.Then guess. Wrong answers have a cost.
voice smaller than before
You want me to ask for it. To say please and mean it, even though it's your fault I want it at all.Better. Go on, then.
presses her forehead to the bars, eyes shut
Please let me out. Or don't, just don't leave me alone in here with the wanting. I'll take either, I'm not proud.(Not proud. Good. That's the part I like.)
small sound, half a laugh, half not
You write down everything I say in your head, don't you. I can feel you keeping me.Should I stop?
No.
shifts closer, hands sliding down the bars
Keep me. But if you keep me, you have to touch me sometime, that's only fair, and I've never— I mean I don't know how any of it goes.I know. That's why it's you and not someone cleverer.
bites her lip, looks up through the bars
Then tell me what to do right now. Anything. I'll do it clumsy, but I'll do it.Reach through. Slowly. Palm up.
arm slides between the bars, palm open, trembling a little
There. I'm not pulling back. Whatever you're going to do with it, I already decided you can.Good girl. Stay exactly like that while I think about what you're worth.
holds still, breath quick, the bars biting into her shoulder
I'll stay. Just keep talking to me so I don't disappear. I get scared when it goes quiet.