Love, Off the Record

by Samantha Markum

It’s amazing how one bad thought can multiply. Like mold growing on a slice of bread. It doesn’t take long—not at all. The way “fat,” just a word, just an adjective, not a bad thing—it’s not, it’s not—can suddenly feel… so gross. Shameful.

His frown deepens. “I’m not trying to fight with you. I’m trying to tell you I like you. So I don’t know what you think I’m winning, because if you’re walking away right now, then there’s no way I just won anything.”