Bleeding isn't optional for most of us.

Guilt always makes the other feelings worse.

This was what she needed… the quiet turning to the other in the middle of the night, the wordless meeting of lips, skin, breath. The trust, unfurling one pale petal at a time, that he would be there.

But not all scars showed, did they?

Bleeding isn't optional for most of us.

Dogs make sense. They understand hierarchy and the need to cooperate. They come when you call them. A cat though—a cat will take your number and get back to you. Maybe. If he’s in a good mood.

Fear and bigotry don’t need explaining. They simply are, like traffic jams and taxes.