“I tried for so long to just love you! But I couldn’t… I couldn’t bring myself to love you, all there is is hate.” My voice diminishes from a yell to passive.

The whole world seems to turn silent.

She turns to me. There’s that look in her eyes. Something that you see behind the drunkenness, a vile hate, an anger.

“Say that again.” She challenges:

“I hate you. It’s that simple.”

I step back and avoid the clumsy swing.

“I’m not scared of you anymore. I’ve given up on trying to love you. I’ll fight back if you try hurt me.”

She doesn’t believe me. I can see it in the fist aimed at my face.

I don’t believe me. I can see it in the stars swimming in my sight.

I remember before. It flashes across my mind. A beach. We’re building a sandcastle, mother and daughter.

I remember the day I first came home to an angry drunk.

I remember the day I stopped loving her.

I wipe the blood from my nose and look at her coldly.

“Good bye.”

I take my bag and walk out. Out the room, out the house, onto a bus and out the city. Out this trap of a life I’d found myself in. Finally free.