Emily
David comes crashinginto my bedroom, alcohol on his breath.
“That bitch! That fucking... bitch!”
“David, what happened?”
I stand and grab his arm to stop him from pacing.
“She's just a rotten fucking human being! And a lousy lay, too!”
He shakes his arm free. He is manic and drunk, but I don’t fear him when he’s like this. I’m able to calm David in ways only myself and pills can. I pull him into me and hold him until his ranting becomes mumbles. His body finally relaxes. He grabs my hand and holds it to his chest. I can feel the pulse in his fingertips. He fumbles with my bracelet and takes a deep breath.
“I'm sorry, Emily,” he whispers with his face nestled into my shoulder.