Thorn

by Intisar Khanani

We all need our quiet. We all have our unspoken sorrows, hopes we cannot mention, choices we may yet regret.

I laugh, an ugly, harsh sound. “Courage? I am worse than the lowest coward. I’ve allowed—you don’t know the things I haven’t done, because I was afraid of what would happen to me.” I press my hand to my mouth as if I might take back the truth of my words.