Blank
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The internet’s filled with skin stories nowadays.
You’ve got the kids posting on Instagram, Twitter, and Medium about the first time love appeared on their skin. I can always appreciate the classic breakup, literally the only emotion visible for months. You’d think they fell in a vat of ink. It’s amazing how you can know how the breakup went down by looking at the words. You start to see patterns after a couple years of journalism.
Anger. Confusion. Humiliation. Adultery
Sorrow. Powerlessness. Isolated. Distance
Indifferent. Numb. Regret. Boredom
Peace. Sorrow. Fragile. Mutual
Amidst all of the emotion, there’s one woman that I’ll never forget. I’ve never seen anyone like her in my entire life.
Her skin was completely blank.
Hi, thanks for letting me interview you.
You’re welcome.
Can you tell me a bit about yourself?
My name is *REDACTED*. I’m 43 years old. I’ve got 2 kids. I enjoy gardening. I can get tell you about my skin if you want.
Yes, sorry, I didn’t want to be too direct.
It’s okay, you shouldn’t worry about those things. The reason why my skin is blank is because my husband died.
I’m very sorry to hear that. Could you please tell me more about your relationship? I’ve a few people who’ve gone through a similar circumstance, but they look completely opposite to you.
*REDACTED* was everything to me. We practically grew up together, he was right next door. He was my first crush. He protected me from bullies in elementary school. He was my first love. I can remember prom now. He spilled punch on my dress by accident. I didn’t really mind though, it was still a perfect night. He worked while I went to school. He was there when my parents died. Of course I would marry him, no doubt in my mind. People said children would change things, but not with him.
That’s an incredible relationship, it’s hard to imagine that it was real.
Yeah, I wouldn’t believe it either… I thought we were going to grow old together. The kids haven’t even started high school yet. I don’t really know what to do, but I’ve got to stay strong for them. I know he would do the same. Do you think we can just talk off the record for now?
Of course.
We ended up talking for the next couple of hours. She told me that her skin was completely filled, until one night it wasn’t. It’s as if the universe was giving her a blank slate to start over. How could she continue one with the constant reminder of her love’s death printed on her skin. He was there for all of it.
I guess now I see how someone can feel so… empty.
Thanks for reading Writers Guild — A Smedian publication
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