you are numb. Your body is
frozen. You’re in disbelief. Your
head goes around in circles. You
clench your teeth. You tell yourself
this can’t be happening. And that it
isn’t. And you do everything you can
to prove it, including bargaining with
the devil who gave it to you.

The second time
you get angry. No, you get
******* furious. He should never
have done this. It shouldn’t have
happened. You feel the heat rising up
your neck. There’s a lump in your throat
as big as Everest. Revenge is what serves
you best. And you wear it pretty in a white
satin dress.

The third time
they say is a charm. But you know
differently. There should have never been
this chance to repeat it past the first. But you
forgave graciously. That’s your way,
of course. But there’s going to be
great harm to someone. And it won’t be
yourself! Three strikes and you’re Out!