Things I Cannot Say

I love you, he says.

IloveyouIloveyouIloveyou!

Babe, I love you.

Our eyes meet,

His expression is expectant, demanding— did you hear me it questions.

My expression is empty.

Thanks, I sigh.

His lower mandible collapses to the table.

A glass shatters across the restaurant.

Blood seeps out of his nose, his mouth, the hole in his sternum.

The lights dim in the background.

More blood.

A spotlight focuses in on the happy couple.

My head, my vacant eyes turns slightly to the left,

fingers lightly tapping the cream of the tablecloth, tracing the side of a glass.

More and more blood.

Waiter? I ask, Can we have the check?

Cue the end credits.

Always blood.

I’ve done it,

I’ve shot a man in the chest with a simple thank you.

If only it were true.