*the trees told me about you

PLATONIC / STRANGERS

SENDER drapes their jacket over RECEIVER'S shoulders.

SENDER signals RECEIVER with a subtle gesture.

SENDER slows their pace so RECEIVER can keep up.

SENDER whispers from just behind RECEIVER'S shoulder.

SENDER offers RECEIVER the last piece of food without comment.

SENDER sits beside RECEIVER without needing to be asked.

SENDER asks if RECEIVER made it home safe.

SENDER shares an umbrella with RECEIVER, leaning into the rain.

SENDER listens to RECEIVER without interrupting.

SENDER steals a glance when RECEIVER isn't looking.

SENDER smiles at RECEIVER without explanation.

SENDER carries RECEIVER'S bag when it gets too heavy.

SENDER passes RECEIVER a note that says ________.

SENDER nudges RECEIVER with their shoulder playfully.

SENDER reminds RECEIVER to eat.

SENDER guides RECEIVER through a crowd by the hand.

SENDER holds the door open for RECEIVER without rushing.

SENDER offers quiet RECEIVER company instead of advice.

SENDER stays with RECEIVER even when they could leave.

SENDER brushes lint from RECEIVER'S sleeve.

SENDER leans their head against RECEIVER'S shoulder.

SENDER slips something into RECEIVER'S pocket.

SENDER hides behind RECEIVER when trouble passes by.

AFFECTIONATE / ROMANTIC

SENDER tucks loose hair behind RECEIVER'S ear.

SENDER squeezes RECEIVER'S hand gently.

SENDER rests their chin on RECEIVER'S head.

SENDER kisses RECEIVER deeply.

SENDER traces idle shapes on RECEIVER'S arm.

SENDER pulls RECEIVER into a lingering hug.

SENDER presses their forehead to RECEIVER'S.

SENDER bites RECEIVER'S lower lip gently.

SENDER rubs slow circles into RECEIVER'S back.

SENDER pulls RECEIVER closer by the hips.

SENDER presses their body against RECEIVER'S.

SENDER kisses RECEIVER'S temple softly.

SENDER cradles RECEIVER'S face in both hands.

SENDER smooths a hand down RECEIVER'S hair.

SENDER interlaces their fingers with RECEIVER'S.

SENDER trails kisses down RECEIVER'S neck.

SENDER leans in just close enough to feel RECEIVER'S breath.

SENDER kisses RECEIVER slowly, unhurried.

SENDER guides RECEIVER'S hands where they want them.

SENDER murmurs praise against RECEIVER'S skin.

SENDER guides RECEIVER closer by the waist.

SENDER whispers something meant only for RECEIVER.

SENDER presses RECEIVER gently against a wall.

SENDER traces RECEIVER'S jawline with their thumb.

SENDER pulls RECEIVER into their lap.

SENDER brushes their lips against RECEIVER'S knuckles.

SENDER tilts RECEIVER'S chin up.

SENDER pulls RECEIVER back when they try to leave.

AGGRESSIVE / VIOLENT

SENDER blocks RECEIVER'S path.

SENDER crushes RECEIVER'S fingers underfoot.

SENDER shoves RECEIVER back a step.

SENDER crowds into RECEIVER'S space.

SENDER grips RECEIVER'S collar.

SENDER shoves RECEIVER against a surface.

SENDER bashes RECEIVER'S head against a wall.

SENDER steps closer when RECEIVER backs away.

SENDER shoves past RECEIVER hard.

SENDER yanks something from RECEIVER'S hands.

SENDER slams a fist beside RECEIVER'S head.

SENDER strikes RECEIVER to instigate a fight.

SENDER chokes RECEIVER until they struggle.

SENDER grabs RECEIVER'S wrist.

SENDER slams RECEIVER into the ground.

SENDER breaks RECEIVER'S nose.

SENDER drags RECEIVER across the floor.

SENDER pins RECEIVER in place.

Lips turn downward as Alison pops open the bag on the table, brows drawing in a disgruntled expression. “ I cut off the crusts and I made sure to use the peanut butter brand you liked, I even went out to buy it specifically for this. “ Teeth grit together for a brief moment as she tries to recall what the hell could’ve happened to the pb and j she’d packed that morning, and briefly the thought of Baby doll flits across her mind – but the cat wouldn't go for it; even she knew that. After all grape jelly wasn't her bag she tended to lean into the syrup route for condiments. Turning around she grabs the cooler on the back of the truck, dragging it forward without a second thought despite its weighted nature. “ Here! Why the fuck did i store it in here? Did you at any point mention liking your pb and j cool? “ 

@forestheld liked for a starter!

i wanna get out of my house.

you know, i appreciate you always coming with me. i know you'd probably rather be doing something else.

it's beautiful, isn't it?

thank you. god bless you.

never crossed my mind, thinking about that.

i wanna show you something.

they was just jealous.

make a wish before that candle burns out.

it is our delusions that lead us to sin.

whoo! that'll wake you up.

good gracious. it's hot, ain't it?

i've got the holy ghost in me!

it's the best present i ever got. thank you.

well, what's the problem then, son?

how about i buy you a candy bar, huh?

you piece of shit!

wonder if you'd consider selling me it.

it's bound to get hotter.

come on, give me a hand.

you want your mama to die?

where'd you go?

she might have come with us, if you'd paid her a little more attention.

be right back with you, hon.

i just thought, seeing as i was this way, i'd stop by and see the old place again.

that ain't an accident.

get some shots off down there while the light's still good.

i've been run through the wringer!

we could start over.

what did you do about it?

i ain't gonna take the blame for no bastard child!

now, you pray on..

god'll hear us.

you want another twinkie?

there's debt you owe me.

before i found the holy ghost, i was scared plumb to death of spiders.

better not be one of them goddamn window peepers you keep calling about.

i'm not doing that no more, you hear me?

now you remember what i told you?

you get it all in the cup?

she'd always been sort of fucked up.

oh, shit! hey, take it easy!

damn. that's gonna be one fine sunset.

here, let me have that.

so what kind of candy bar you gonna get, huh?

i'm thinking we take a walk, be fine to pray outside and adore them trees.

don't take her from me.

this spot looks about as good a place as any, don't it?

whatcha having, honey?

god dammit, boy.

i love you and i will always remember the things that you have done for me.

you sound like a christian.

you mean to tell me you're not gonna have a drink with a pretty little thing like her?

it seemed to his son that his father fought the devil all the time.

we gotta do something.

lord, that's good stuff.

hell, they having a little revival meetin'.

girl, you been crying?

from what folks tell me, they got a right good message.

you fucking around?

as far as everybody around here is concerned your daddy's probably still out there somewhere alive and kicking.

everything's gonna be okay.

he would do anything to protect her.

oh, it's so good to see you, honey.

he ain't a coward, he went and got himself killed.

why don't you take that hat off, boy.

what's this girl's name?

you stabbed your wife in the neck with a screwdriver, tried to bring her back from the dead and then buried her body.

wouldn't you take a piece of that?

he preached on it for years, but still didn't know what to expect.

i told you i don't like this anymore.

pray, god dammit.

we keep saving, we could probably buy it. wouldn't that be something?

the lord don't like dark places.

there should be a road somewhere up here on the right.

shut your mouth. we both know that ain't never gonna happen.

now, you pray on what happened today.

here, you give me that heavy old bag.

just be you and me, sweetheart.

i'm just gonna take my break outside.

i just want you to know that i ain't never forgot it.

well.. it was a rough time.

i've been watching your every move for the last couple weeks.

what's that smell?

i left her a dollar tip, though.

don't fuck with me!

ain't no human head big enough to calculate misery like that!

you're coming with me today, boy.

it wasn't that bad. it wasn't that bad.

that was good.

i figure he'd want you to have it.

get off the couch.

you can understand that, can't you?

you ain't losing nothing there.

when the man who puts extra money in your pockets asks why you're as red as a newborn baby, you tell him who the whore is.

there's no doubt, we're all humble people gathered here.

ol' jesus probably had his fair share of bad mornings.

i'm so ashamed.

i'll have to think about it.

what happened today. now, remember, be honest. no bullshittin', he'll know.

i bet he ain't got two nickels to rub together.

are you crazy?

do what i say, you son of a bitch.

what in the hell is this?

the holy ghost is going to visit this little church that bears his sacred name!

it wasn't my fault.

i forgot my damn keys.

that is a nice gift, though.

i was just looking the land over.

i got no rest from them devils!

he has lots of grass to play on now.

there's a lot of no good sons of bitches out there.

well, that's what i'm here for.

have you shown yourself as the lord made you?

i'm so sorry.

i was a runt, hiding under my mother's long skirts, spiders crawling through my dreams.

what is it you're most afraid of? hmm? because if your worst fear is rats, well.. satan'll make sure you get your fill of them.

how about we check into a motel?

they were gonna kill me, i swear.

don't be crying, you hear?

he's dead.

you're coming out back with me today, boy.

what you got there?

didn't you hear anything i said?

you know that she ain't hardly been out of her bed since the funeral?

can i come with you?

it should be a good thing, helping someone out.

i'm sorry for bringing it up.

i don't know if you have anywhere you gotta be but, uh.. maybe we can take a drive.

behold! the lord looks out for me now!

i'll take coffee if you got any.

so good to see you. thank you for coming.

there's a girl from church i want you to meet.

i might be gone a while.

i don't understand people that won't pick up strangers.

i was asleep.

well, she won't forget that.

got time for a sinner?

i've got an election to think about.

i just don't know much about the bible is all.

she got it in her head that i was the father.

once i'd had a taste, i just couldn't get enough.

please do not try and find me.

you know, we did him a favor.

you don't look too good.

it didn't have anything to do with you.

how can you be close to god stuck in there?

i know there's other things you wanna be doing probably.

your dinner's ready.

get the fuck out of my diner.

that was nice, what you did.

well, i ain't never got her name.

you got a new toy?

you're gonna kill him!

rent seems fair for what we get.

that's gonna cost me my money.

see that one in the wheelchair? drank too much strychnine or antifreeze, or something is why he can't walk.

he'd never win a fist fight, but he could recite the book of revelation in his sleep.

what do you want?

what i'm about to do, i do because i have to, not because i want to.

i never missed church before.

some people just need a little help once in a while, you know what i mean?

you ever go and beat the shit outta someone i made my money off?

i won't speak to nobody else.

i ain't no rush.

come on, you dumb son of a bitch.

he's just a preacher.

only in the presence of death could he feel the presence of something like god.

did you need anything else?

somebody left us a pie.

i hate to tell you this, but that place burned some years ago.

where you headed?

you still got the bullshit in you, ain't you?

what you got planned after school?

maybe that's where he belonged.

i had fear in me all the time, awake or asleep, didn't matter.

what's your name, sweetie?

you'll see them, eating away at you whilst you lay there unable to lift a single finger. and it won't ever cease.

he's gonna fuckin' kill him!

no, you go on and take another one.

you know i can't afford anything like that.

i'll be praying for you.

yeah, well, that ain't my problem.

some people were born just so they could be buried.

get out. i told you last time.

what the fuck is going on out here?

how's about we, uh.. go see your mama's grave when you're better? sound all right?

i got some things to do before we go home.

sorry i didn't come today.

come on out so we can have us a talk!

that sounds like a crazy person who killed his wife.

no sense in you napping in here like a house cat all day.

get the fuck off me!

don't eat my scraps.

that's your weekly earnings 'til we're square.

you have a nice face.

we got cozy rooms in the back if you need some company.

people like me in this town.

shit, i'm thinking now'd be a good time to pay his old lady a visit.

i never did have that.

if we stay off highways, we should be fine.

we're kin, we gotta look out for each other.

you back home from the war?

they got a little trigger, back there in their throat.

you take pictures?

come on and pray with me.

everything's from the bible, honey.

is everything all right?

you ain't got nothing to be ashamed of.

we're saving money to buy the house one day, so things are gonna be tight for a while.

huh? ain't she somethin'?

i've been thinking, maybe the lord wants you to come out into the light.

there was nothing to do but forget his sorry ass.

get the fuck out of here!

there's money to be made if a man of the law is careful and doesn't get a big head.

i don't like this gospel shit.

you look like you've been traveling.

do you really want these hands touching you?

will you get me some sugar?

you got a deposit to make, sir?

i'm just passing through.

maybe you should try praying for 'em then.

remember that night you brought me up here?

that preacher's a little flashy.

i gotta go check in on her, she ain't been feeling too good.

been a while, ain't it?

looks like you had a rough day.

there's just some things we can't understand.

you're so damn ugly, i'd need a sack over your head just to get a hard-on.

he came every morning and evening to talk to god.

i know. i felt the need to celebrate. i'm in love.

please save my wife.

i got no use for handguns myself.

i bet he just wanted them chicken livers all for his own self.

i'm giving you a good thing here, buddy.

it's nothing. i just get down sometimes.

are you not coming?

me losing money is gonna cost you your cut.

i know you like this waitress.

you got any candy?

you get some rest.

we didn't go to church much when i was a kid.

i'll get myself elected.

i've been doing wrong and i wanna get right by the lord.

y'all have been awful nice to me and i thank you from the bottom of my heart for the welcome.

what's going on here, mister?

i don't understand what you're talking about.

if we just pray hard enough the lord can do anything if you just ask him right.

son of a bitch has it coming.

we need your help, and i know you can do it.

don't you worry about that pus-gutted blowhard.

you'll feel better in the morning.

i would appreciate it if you all would try and make him feel welcome.

i told you, sweetie, it's only matter of time.

i wanna get some shots of your ugly old mug sitting next to a pretty lady.

hut the fuck up.

i don't wanna go to church.

oh, come on, sweetie.

i hear you! yes, i am here!

you've been spying on me, boy?

you touch my sister again, i'll kill you. do you understand me?

ain't no man ever been evil enough.

we'll sit out and drink some beer.

stop tearing my damn kitchen apart.

there's a quiet place i found i like to go and pray on things.

the girl's family burned up in a house fire leaving the poor thing all alone.

what the fuck you talking about?

why don't you just lie down on that blanket there on your side.

i got the urge to pray again.

is that blood on your face?

still thinking about that gun you showed me.

those little shits keep picking on him. it ain't right.

pray like you mean it.

i've never heard of such a thing.

not that you'd appreciate it, but tears make for a good photograph.

i'm saying you must be crazy.

i ain't prayin'!

why don't you put the gun down and we can talk all about it.

you're gonna fuck my wife and i'm gonna take some pictures, that's all.

the spirit will take away your fears if you're willing!

i'm gonna scramble some eggs. you want some?

i've done.. lustful acts.

envy. brings out the worst in people.

maybe we should just get out of here.

we are so happy you're here.

oh, no, i'm not scared!

them boys might be bigger than you. but the next time one of them starts his shit, i want you to finish it. you understand?

sorry to come by so early, i was on my way to work and i thought i might chew your ear.

don't you touch that fuckin' camera there, son.

i got me a pretty wife at home.

we'll just take a few pictures and then the big dumb bastard will leave us alone.

i remember everything about that night.

don't act like you do nothing wrong.

i know you're down there somewhere!

i could tell the police what happened, that it was an accident.

what can i get ya?

roll up your window.

oh, lord, i was so worried.

shotgun's what'll do you good.

lord knows where a person who ain't saved might end up.

anyway, everyone says ain't no one doesn't like you, you know that.

you might not even be an orphan.

i never been so embarrassed in all my life.

mister, i do appreciate this.

where'd you hear that?

i know what my daddy did.

well, what is it, son?

what about your father?

don't fuckin' lie to me!

i never got your name.

hon, give me the key.

this photo really meant something to him.

what the hell is this?

god had a tendency of asking men to make sacrifices in order to prove their faith.

i was like you when i was your age.

i'm sure the lord will forgive you for missing one sunday.

don't you worry none.

you don't drink?

i would ask you to get down and thank jesus with me, but i can smell the liquor on your breath.

what you think?

get down there.

i ain't gonna sleep tonight as it is.

i don't wanna shoot you! put the gun down!

he's as bad as they got on the damn radio.

she ever puke on you?

you think that guy lied to me?

that's right. don't y'all worry about me. maybe i oughta take me a nap.

i've already forgiven him.

now, that's what hell is like!

don't do anything you'll regret, son.

you know what would do you good?

i didn't think anybody was gonna pick me up.