#bought

I took the cheque home and folded it in half. Then again. Then again. Until it was a sharp little square I could press into my palm. It didn’t feel like money. It felt like silence.

The job was good. Rare these days for someone like me. And when he leaned too close and said too much - breath hot and stale with knowing - I only smiled.

Afterward, I kept working. Of course I did.

At the end of the week the cheque came, same as always. it felt heavier this time. Like hush money.