swallow

That sharp pricking feeling in my nose right before a tear drops from my eyes.

The dull and hollow ache right below my sternum. It only lasts for a few seconds, but it was there.

I mull over the words in my mind, over and over again. I know what I want to say. Word for word. I picked each one of them carefully and arranged them perfectly. Like a bouquet.

My breath hitches as soon as I open my mouth.

I can just see it now, left on the kitchen table. Still wrapped in paper. It only takes a few days for them to shrivel up and brown.

So I choke back the petals and let the stems form a lump in my throat.

You’ll never know that I removed all the thorns for you.