Bad Date

by Ellery Lloyd

I’ve always believed in love at first sight, but I’ve never actually experienced it until now. The only way to describe it is a serene certainty, your soul saying: There you are, at last.

Just as, all evening, I have been pretending not to know that it is Fay Roper who is sitting across the table from me.

She has always said that fame is the price she’s prepared to pay for doing what she loves, but her son doesn’t owe the world shit.

A no will always turn into a yes if you only persist—that’s what my mother always said.

They really should teach kids more in school about online safety, make them aware that any old weirdo could be out there, talking to them.

The question that faced me was what to do with his body. I could have called the police, I suppose. Told them my suspicions. Handed over my son to the criminal justice system. Sacrificed my life, my career. I did not. Instead, I bought another suitcase.

He’s been a sitting duck, and tonight he’s getting hooked.

I’ll break you before you get the chance to break her