Under Locke

by Mariana Zapata

Sometimes strings of letters were meaningless in comparison to actions. Actions held the power of a choir versus

the strength of a solitary singer. My bones recognized that this was all I would get, this one-person a cappella.

“You know damn well you don’t come into my shop demandin' shit, callin' my girl a bitch.”

It suddenly made complete sense to me that he was the youngest child in his family. He must have never been told "no" in his life, or at least not often enough.

I was a good man, I'd tell you to find somebody better, somebody that won't lose their shit over an asshole eye fuckin' you."

"But I'm not a good man, and I'm gonna take everythin' you want to give me and everythin' you don't."

You're a big girl, Ris, so I'm not gonna tell you what to do. You might not trust me, but I trust you."

"There's shit I want and shit I need. A smoke's not one of ’em, ’specially not when I'm around you."