Page 6

Hollis had nothing fractured and nothing broken, just bruises and burst vessels and shame. Annie and Yulia bundled him home, fast as holy chariot.

Yulia agreed to be paid back in bread and demanded Hollis bake it for her by the end of the week.

Annie helped Hollis into his house and put him to bed. She scraped her acrylic nails across his cheek, soft, while he held himself together.

Hollis watched them leave.

He waited until he heard the sound of Yulia’s car peeling out of his driveway to cry.