he comes armed with charm. a smile that commands a return. his shiny cuff links make my lashes blink. slow. fumes of his freshly laundered suit seep out the cracks of my lungs and into my bloodstream. his gaze lays on me like a straightjacket. together we fold the little red flag and tuck it neat in the corner of my subconscious. he pets me, I purr. tonight I’m the special kitten in his litter of *******.