Husk

by Rachel Autumn Deering

“That ain’t even the goddamn point I’m trying to make. Fuck the checks! The point I’m trying to make is I ain’t never done drugs in my damn life. Not a one. I took that medication because they told me to, and now they’re treating me like I’m a low-life moocher. No. Hell no.” Kevin slammed his fist on the desk. Dr. Rogers jumped, then settled back into his chair. “Messing with a man’s finances is one thing, but trying to spoil his character is a whole other kind of meanness. They took all the good parts of me they wanted, my loyalty, my honor, my bravery. They took all that out of me and used it for their own. They took my best friend, they took my humanity, they used me up and they shipped me back here and turned me into some kind of damn zombie.”

“You’d better pray your ass off before you climb in bed tonight. You better pray the Lord finds you some other line of business, cuz the folks you’re working for right now is goddamn devils. Swindling, thieving, crooked goddamn devils.”

Kevin considered saying something about being jealous of the sun because it had clearly kissed her shoulders,

She turned her head to face the kitchen again, but she didn’t move. She stood in place, silent. And then she doubled over, arms crossing over her stomach, and she howled with laughter. “Yep. Keeper.” He patted her on the back as he walked by.