The Voice Inside My Head.

“Try the oysters, they flew them in this morning.”

“Everything here flies in, doesn’t it?”

“You finally made it, you know.”

“I finally made it, yes.”

“Champagne?”

“Of course.”

“You look calm.”

“I practiced.”

“Do you remember counting coins at the kitchen table?”

“Stop that.”

“They have marble counters now.”

“They have marble everything.”

“Investment banking is less a job and more a costume.”

“You wear it well.”

“Smile.”

“I am smiling.”

“Wider.”

“Careful, your face might crack.”

“Do you ever get tired of judging me?”

“I get tired of protecting you.”

“Who is that by the window?”

“Old money pretending not to notice new money.”

“Which one are we?”

“New, obviously.”

“I miss when we wanted things.”

“We still want things. We just want quieter ones.”

“Your glass is empty.”

“I know.”

“You should slow down.”

“I should enjoy myself.”

“Tonight is perfect.”

“Perfection is suspicious.”

“Listen to them.”

“Everyone sounds important.”

“They rehearse.”

“So did you.”

“I belong here.”

“You sound like you are trying to convince a child.”

“I am convincing a child.”

“Your hands are shaking.”

“It is cold.”

“It is not cold.”

“Breathe.”

“I am breathing.”

“Slower.”

“Do you hear that laugh?”

“Which one?”

“All of them.”

“They laugh like they own time.”

“You own time now too.”

“I do?”

“Yes.”

“Then why do I feel like I am borrowing it?”

“Because you are.”

“Someone just dropped a glass.”

“People are staring.”

“Stay still.”

“Why is everyone standing?”

“Something is wrong.”

“I smell smoke.”

“It is not smoke.”

“Why are they shouting?”

“Do not turn around.”

“Someone call for help!”

“Is that blood?”

“Do not look!”

“They are on the floor.”

“Who is on the floor?”

“Stay with me.”

“Why are they saying my name?”

“They are not.”

“They are.”

“That is not possible.”

“Move!”

“I cannot move!”

“They are pushing me back!”

“Let me through!”

“You are already through.”

“What does that mean?!”

“Listen.”

“I hear music.”

“There is no music.”

“There is.”

“That song.”

“Yes.”

“They played it for Dad.”

“When he left.”

“When he went home.”

“Why is everyone smiling at me?”

“They have been waiting.”

“This place looks like the party but better.”

“Better how?”

“They see you.”

“They are clapping.”

“You never liked attention.”

“I like this.”

“Turn around.”

“I do not want to.”

“Turn around.”

“That is my dress.”

“That is my hair.”

“That is my body.”

“They are pressing on her chest.”

“They are pressing on me.”

“You are not there.”

“Then where am I?”

“You are here.”

“So I am.”

“Yes.”

“So I died.”

“You finished.”

“Is that all?”

“That is enough.”

“Do I have to go back?”

“No.”

“Can I stay?”

“You already are.”

............................................................

“Why does it feel quiet now?”

“Because the noise stayed behind.”

“I can still hear them.”

“You can hear echoes.”

“They sound far away.”

“That they are.”

“They are crying.”

“They loved you in their way.”

“I wanted more.”

“You always did.”

“I wanted it louder.”

“You chose silence dressed as success.”

“That feels unkind.”

“It feels honest.”

“I did my best.”

“You did enough.”

“I wish I had rested.”

“You are resting.”

“I wish I had laughed more.”

“You are laughing now.”

“I wish I had listened to you.”

“You did. Just late.”

“Is Dad here?”

“He never left.”

“I feel lighter.”

“You put the weight down.”

“I feel younger.”

“You are no longer pretending.”

“What happens to the house?”

“It becomes a memory.”

“What happens to my name?”

“It becomes a story.”

“What happens to you?”

“I stay.”

“You always stayed.”

*Gasp!"*

"Daddy! I missed you!"

"My baby" I missed you too!"

"You're safe now".