In My Desperate Time

I'm scared.

I'm so scared of the drug, but I'm more scared that Frances will get addicted to it.

If one of us must take it, then I'll be the one.

I take a deep breath and reach out to the bag of powder.

My entire body trembles involuntarily. I have foreseen how disgusting and desperate I will be.

But before my hand can touch it, Frances has clutched it. He smiles faintly and says, "Such a good opportunity, wouldn't it be a pity if I give it away?"

As he speaks, he opens it calmly.

"No! You can't do it!"

I shout inwardly over and over again, but no one can hear it.

"Good. I appreciate your bravery. It looks like Hilda has found a good husband."

Mike smiles and hands Frances a dollar bill.

Taking it over, Frances pours the powder onto it, and glowers at it.

painful internal struggle is

more

Hilda jabs him with her elbow, "Frances,

A little?

punch her right

from a little.

no longer the issue here. He can die from a

I do? What

become more and

don't want this. But with my hands tied, I can't

So I can only sit here like

I hate it.

I hate myself.

faster, the situation would

does Frances

right now. He doesn't need to help

deal to get solid evidence, then it will be too much

I don't

now, it is

powder on the bill and rolls