Interesting Facts about Space

by Emily R. Austin

I have been struggling lately with an irrational fear of bald men.

I walk into his office, ready to greet George, and scream. George is bald.

I look up to return his hello, but before I can open my mouth, I smell smoke. The doctor is bald.

His bare, misshapen head is close to me. There are prominent bumps in his skull.

I am on a desert island, a paradise where every man has hair.

I tune out while they all talk about me being quiet. I pretend to listen. I smile when they smile. I wish I could call my mom.

Reading even the suggestion of this approach prompts my mind’s eye to picture: me, drowning in a sea of bald man. My shoulders involuntarily jump to my ears, I flinch, and I close one eye.

I am a lesbian. I have one friend, and he has lots of hair.