Rewriting the World
Blood splatter coated all but one wall in spite of having been clearly scrubbed with strong chemicals. A double mattress was crammed in the corner, completely bare save for more stains and a crusty duvet cover. My eyes traveled to the rails on the head of the bed, settling on the restraints that dangled from each corner.
Swaziland has the highest HIV/AIDS rate and lowest life expectancy in the world. Many of these women have lost husbands or loved ones and are left to care for their families themselves.
My drug use escalated into a full-blown addict lifestyle in less than a month. “I’m too far gone,” I would tell myself.
If word got to the wrong people in the shelter, I stood a high chance of getting stabbed for it.
Something seemed off, but I figured older people had more reason to drink anyways.
I saw the knife in his hand before it was wrenched away.
I had it down to the perfect science. My game was to play adorable and get everyone to want to protect me. I was doing well. I called for a smoke break and we all filed out. Cisco pressed his body hard against mine into a corner. What was he doing?!
"Honey, listen. It's not ok. We are homeless. None of us know what is going to happen to us and most of us would rather not know what already has. You won't survive unless you can have something normal.
