Seeds that Kill Me
"Laurie..."
Laurie doesn't respond. She can't.
...
Why do they both have to be so distant? This wasn't the way things were supposed to go at all.
"...I was...thinking about what I said to you..."
Miles puts the joint to her lips.
Inhale.
If there was any time she needed to relax, it was going to be now.
Exhale.
"I'm..."
Sorry. That's the word that rests on Miles' tongue.
But Laurie knows her teammate's stubbornness. That's why she doesn't turn to look at the solemn, quietly haunting expression that Miles is making: No more peace, and no more stupid excuses.
"...starting to think about...where we go from here..."
Inhale.
It chokes her, the phrase she wants to utter so badly— like a thorny vine digging deeper and deeper into her flesh.
Exhale.
"I know you might not want to be vegan anymore..."
...but I want to stay by your side. I want to be with you forever, even if I rot away.
Inhale.
"...so let's talk about this tomorrow, okay?"
Yet there's nothing to talk about.
Tomorrow, the vine's grip grows harsher, and those little words Miles wants to say will keep her holding her breath.
