ONE NIGHT STAND WITH MY STEPFATHER
“Close the door fully and feel free. I’m not a monster. My name is Ethan. The first time I saw you at the bar, I wanted to come meet you. You were very beautiful to be looking so down that night. But when I saw that man from earlier approach you, I had to stop. I waited, watched and listened instead.”
I just stood there listening to him with shame burning in my chest. My face felt hot. I remembered that night too well. The drinks, the one night stand with Mark, the bad decisions, how I paid him and left. Now this stranger knew details I wished I could forget. I didn’t say anything. I just listened, arms crossed tight over my chest.