Chapter 8

I climb into the tub and soak my weary bones in the hot, almost clear water, sliding down to submerge all of me to the edges of my face and trying to drown out the noises of downtown New York. Body relaxing from stiff, stressed achiness to an almost relieved sag.

The sounds of sirens, traffic, constant noise and motion are never-ending, especially around these parts. It’s a high crime dump, and only two days ago, a body was found only one block away. Daylight robbery gone nasty.

She gives as good as she gets, and the gnawing grate of wood on wood over my head signals another epic battle. Scraping furniture, heavy thuds and raised hysterical ranting overhead echo through the walls eerily. I can still hear the wail of a car alarm nearby and hear the couple’s screaming upstairs as they have another violent fight.

Fuck love if that’s what it does to you.

Why tie yourself to someone for a lifetime if they treat you like a punching bag?

Why give your heart to