I Refuse this Late
she told me, as I had been sitting as far away as I could and averted my eyes, staring at the car mat beneath my feet.
My eyes narrowed, repulsed by the way she ordered me around like I was a dog, and didn't move.
And when I didn't move, her tone became stern. "I said, come."
I didn't answer, but straightened my back as if to salvage that fragile dignity of mine—which I was supposed to have given up on, when I begged the loan sharks for mercy.
And since I wasn't answering, the car was silent.
Whether she was not used to the silence or because she got impatient, Stella reached out with her hand.