I was there, that afternoon, air thick as marmalade. That afternoon the officer came to our house. I was petulant – something silly over your rummaging through my wardrobe, looking for something slinky, sexy for your assignation with the tall, lightly tanned lover you acquired.

That remained my attitude when the thick knocks and bang of boots came against the door. Just Dominquez, being liberosious, playing at solider I was sure. I opened the door, fearing nothing. But there he stood, with eyes so dark, set deep in hollow eye sockets, I could see my reflection. And his desire to kill; that lethal look. I banished the thought. You were only a young girl in love, not a threat to the state. Transparent as glass; thrum of permitted songs your voice.

I have the splintered memory – your sly smile among my scarves and dresses – your screams as you were dragged away. Stripped, split, prepared for court; deck rigged against your innocence. I sat front row, clutching key to our house, our place, awaiting your release; your return. But I stay alone there; we lost the fight. You are the missing.

© Lorraine

Writing in the raw for mlmm wordle words 152: lightly, house, petulant (adj.)) moved to or showing sudden, impatient irritation, especially over some trifling annoyance), liberosis ((n.) the desire to care less about things—to loosen your grip on your life, to stop glancing behind you every few steps, afraid that someone will snatch it from you before you reach the end zone—rather to hold your life loosely and playfully, like a volleyball, keeping it in the air, with only quick fleeting interventions, bouncing freely in the hands of trusted friends, always in play.), tall, banish, officer, afternoon, kill, marmalade, wardrobe, attitude.

sunday whirl words: wordle 296: thrum, deck, court, key, hollow, stay, row, lethal, glass, fight, strip, split

mlmm photo challenge 162; image: Andi Abdul Halil