Sweating under her flashlight eyes. in suspicion, stuck in a stare. interrogation by breakfast light who, what, and where. competing for the last word the best excuse. serving a volley of condemnation with no pause. slurring excited animation contorted expression. tones raised. spite and memories equipped like armor. exchanging past indiscretions. breaking glass, breaking doors, breaking vows. louder and louder the decibels pierce. stabbing criticism uproot insecurity and weaken defenses. louder still the voices mesh as one. losing verse becoming form. shades of black and red swell in the space between murder and restraint. the walls cave in the world looks in. louder and louder and louder.