The Ex Vows

by Jessica Joyce

loneliness is gnawing at me, a feeling that’s been familiar since I was old enough to know what it was

I might be messy on the inside, but I’m pathologically good at keeping it locked up tight. Except, unfortunately, when I’m not.

All I hear is, you won’t be around if you’re too much. It’s an old fear, refreshed on an endless spin cycle.