No One Can Know

by Kate Alice Marshall

But people needed stories to make sense of things, and she had learned to give them what they needed.

Secrets shifted beneath her skin, ready to bloom.

You lose a dream and it starts to hurt to even remember you ever had it.”

As soon as he’s done, a familiar feeling of shame floods through her, the need to not be touched or seen. She turns her face away.

She wanted more than anything to have that version of motherhood back. The one where she was the world, and she understood every need.