My mind plays tricks on me. I know it does… so why do I always fall for them? A thousand tiny hints. A flicker of a thought.. Just a flicker. In the back of my mind. I didn’t hear it. I swear I won’t. I refuse. But there it is, again… louder this time. What if? It always starts with a “what if”. What if there’s a fire? What if it were your fault? What if… And back I go. Again. And again. And again. The stove is always off. It will always be off. Except. Of course. That one time I don’t give in. The one time I don’t go back and check. So back I go, just one more time. I promise. (Not really.)