The sun popped up early, shining its stream of light right in my face. I began to stir, and before I cleared my head of sleep, all my sorrow and pain came flooding back. I stilled for a minute, dreading this day. I wanted to escape to a remote island where no one could find me. Living in bliss sounded so tempting.
I looked down, and I had forgotten I’d slept in my clothes. The black dress clung to my body, only a bit more wrinkled.
Suddenly the dress felt stifling and itchy. I had to get it off my skin. I reached to pull the zipper down, but it had jammed. With my patience depleted, I ripped it off, tearing the delicate material to shreds. As it fell to the floor in a puddle, it reminded me of last night with Val. I picked up the torn garment and buried my face into the cloth. I drew in
