Forgive My Sins

“Marco,” Noah said with an ominous joy. “I don’t want to play anymore,” Amora cried. “It’s like you're moving.” “Marco!” She took one more large step and ran into something solid. A wall? The back of the bookshelf? “Okay open your eyes.” She turned around and it was an amputated horse head that got somewhat disfigured and taxidermized. It was vile. “Ahhhh.” She shrieked, jumping back and falling onto the ground. The boys laughed. “Why would you get that?” “What I’d thought you like it. We have been fighting a lot and I know you like horses. So when I passed an that old pawn shop by east new circle road, I just grabbed it without thinking,” Noah replied. “Yeah that’s what you did,” Amora pouted. “What?” “Didn’t think.” “Aww come one. I’m trying.” “Man Amora would never like anything like that. I thought you were just pranking her,” Jim added in mischievously. “You’re my best friend and I love you but shut up,” Noah replied. “Yeah. Shut up Jim,” Amora doubled down. “You guys are the ones bickering in my living room,” Jim said, throwing his hands in the air almost spilling his beer. “Oh, stop it. Noah has a job now. He’s helping you pay the lease with the rest of the doorknobs who live her,” Amora replied, moving her neck out of her head a bit while rolling her eyes. “Babe. About that,” Noah said with a shameful low tone. “Oh, my days. Noah. Again?” Amora went on, “I got you that job. How can you get fired from the only place who literally can’t fire you.” “Babe because listen. Those people don’t get me.” “The people at McDonalds? My uncle owns the store,” Amora shot out. “I don’t want to hear one of your stories. I’ll be upstairs whenever you're ready for bed.” “Damn Noah boy. One more strike and you’re out,” Jim said laughing lowly. He continued, “Welp I don’t want to watch the game down here now, it reeks of unemployment.” “Oh, eat a fat one Jim. I’ll have a job by the end of the week,” Noah said plopping on the chair in the corner of the living room, head hanging low. “Sure you will buddy. I believe in you. I also can ask my boss if you can work at the bank with me. I don’t know what they pay clerks. But it’s something,” Jim said with his left hand on the stair rail, right hand holding his beer tight. “No it’s alright. You’re doing enough by letting me stay here. But can I swig one of your brewys?,” Noah said head still hanging low like it’d be there for a while. “Go for it.” Jim skipped a step or two going up the stairs. “Oops wrong room. Or is it?” Amora hesitated for a single second. “Jim. Not right now.” “Aww come on you were thinking about it,” Jim whispered some more, “See sourpuss won’t even hear us with his drowning noise of failure.” “Get out. I mean it,” Amora said sternly. “Scream and I’ll put your little precious boyfriend on the street quicker than you can say Ouch,” Noah said, putting his final beer of his usual first twenty-four case of the night. Amora's eyes softened. “Ahh. I knew that would get you. Now sit,” Noah demanded, pointing at the single mattress on the floor layered with a single fitted sheer and, an old cream comforter, that was originally white. She slowly moved her hands from her already half unbuttoned pants and itched to the edge of the mattress. She sat with her back straight hands fidgeting in her knees. “What did Noah say. Attah girl.” She slid from the doorway, quietly closing it, even still some of the popcorn ceilings dropped. It too needed to be redone for at least eight months. He sat close to her and slightly kissed her cheek, then her collar bone, then back up to her left earlobe, leaving saliva on both of her piercings. Her eyes were wide open as if they couldn’t shut even if she prayed they would. Watering profusely, they did. “Okay Jim. You had your fun. Now please leave. You do this every other week,” Amora wimped. “Oh no. This time I want to go all the way again. You know you liked it. Tell me you liked it,” Jim demanded again. “I-, I-. I liked it.” “I know you did,” Jim said smiling running his tongue back on Amora shoulder. He rubbed his hand up her shirt. “I can’t do this,” Amora said, trying to bolt out of the room. Jim snatched her hand, half standing up. “Where are you going little lady. I’m going to throw your stupid boyfriend out tonight it you don’t sit back down.” She stopped. Hesitated. And then ripped her hand from his grasp. Running out of the room, crying with her pants falling down. She bolted down the stairs. “Hey baby. Are you oka-,” Noah fumbled his words, but they had fallen on death ears as she slammed the door sprinting past him. The crying didn’t stop it was worse than her grandma’s happiness bouts. She kept running and whipping her face until she fell again, bumping into someone. “Oh my God. I’m so sorry. I stupid I should have been looking where I was goin-,” Amora went on, panicking. “Amora, right? Are you okay,” Nico said. “Oh, I’m so sorry. You’re Gaia’s friend from class. Yes. I’m okay just trying to get home.” “It’s a little late for you to be walking alone like this. You want me to walk you back?” Nico said holding his hand out. “No. It’s okay really. I’m just so sorry for bumping into you like that,” Amora said dismissing his helping hand to get up. “Honestly, I ran into you as well. I was stuck playing this dumb game on my phone. I wasn’t paying attention. Please let me walk you back.” “Okay. That’s fine,” Amora said, dusting herself off.