Willow

© 2022 by Ireland Rea. All rights reserved

It was easy for me to be distracted from sitting right across from Soul as the food was delicious. Many compliments went around the table filling in the silence as we all indulged. The sounds of baby Mia’s small chews filled in where I lacked.

Naturally Deja and Isaiah, oblivious to the tension, picked up their own conversation . Replaying a story of when they vacationed in Colorado. I smiled on some parts, chuckled on others to make sure I was actively listening.

Soul stare burned the side of my face so naturally I had to distract my hands and mouth. So I ate and sipped routinely making sure I didn’t spend too much time on one. Being fully aware of the buzz that my brain was starting to partake I decided I didn’t care.