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Description
" Hey, pass the remote."
I stare blankly at the screen,
as if the bright
pixels hypnotized me to
obey.
I pass the remote.
The silence grew as she surfs
through the channels,
as if something would
suddenly appear
interesting.
I feel the sofa somehow
inch further
away from her, as if
it is saving me from
the violent silence.
I could almost hear
the remote's taps-
each molecular sound
seems to be pushing me-
ever so closely to
the television.
I feel her eyes upon me even
though they stare
sharply at the screen. I
feel she is breathing
in the words
I've wanted to say.
Mindlessly, I clear my
throat.
"Mom, I need to tell you
something."
She continues changing the
channel.
"What?" She says
with a discouraging tone;
her gaze changes to the
coffee table,
where lays an empty jar of green
olives and
some slices of cheddar
cheese.
"Where are the olives ?"
My words seem to be captured by
her
lack of compassion. I continue,
willing to stop her
hypnotic trance towards
the television,
willing to cease the sofa's
increasing distance from her.
No more.
"Mom, I ate them all, but listen to me..this may
shock you
and it is not a choice.."
Click Click Click
I feel the buttons
push me deeper into
the sofa cushions.
"I'm happy, I really am. I think you
should know
that I'm..."
Click Click Stop.
I feel the air grow dryer.
For a moment, I thought I
couldn't speak.
I continue.
"Mom, I'm a lesbian."
The sofa stops.
I feel the television's glow-
fade along with the tension.
I feel her stare deepen..
eating out my despair
and fear.

"You ate ALL of them?"

Description
" Hey, pass the remote."
I stare blankly at the screen,
as if the bright
pixels hypnotized me to
obey.
I pass the remote.
The silence grew as she surfs
through the channels,
as if something would
suddenly appear
interesting.
I feel the sofa somehow
inch further
away from her, as if
it is saving me from
the violent silence.
I could almost hear
the remote's taps-
each molecular sound
seems to be pushing me-
ever so closely to
the television.
I feel her eyes upon me even
though they stare
sharply at the screen. I
feel she is breathing
in the words
I've wanted to say.
Mindlessly, I clear my
throat.
"Mom, I need to tell you
something."
She continues changing the
channel.
"What?" She says
with a discouraging tone;
her gaze changes to the
coffee table,
where lays an empty jar of green
olives and
some slices of cheddar
cheese.
"Where are the olives ?"
My words seem to be captured by
her
lack of compassion. I continue,
willing to stop her
hypnotic trance towards
the television,
willing to cease the sofa's
increasing distance from her.
No more.
"Mom, I ate them all, but listen to me..this may
shock you
and it is not a choice.."
Click Click Click
I feel the buttons
push me deeper into
the sofa cushions.
"I'm happy, I really am. I think you
should know
that I'm..."
Click Click Stop.
I feel the air grow dryer.
For a moment, I thought I
couldn't speak.
I continue.
"Mom, I'm a lesbian."
The sofa stops.
I feel the television's glow-
fade along with the tension.
I feel her stare deepen..
eating out my despair
and fear.

"You ate ALL of them?"