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The Demon of Memory


You look into the mirror and you see yourself.

You remember the day you paddled to your father for the first time. You remember gulping at the air just above the surface, judging each breath without help as a victory. You’ve braved the deep end, just like the big kids, and wound up in your father’s arms. Your achievement brings a smile to his face.

You remember standing at your first school dance with wet palms. The room is split like the Red Sea, a metaphor you just learned but are too embarrassed to use because you don’t want to be weird. But she’s there. So you steel yourself and ask her to dance. She says yes.

You remember that you worked your way through college. You worked constantly for the greater goal, but you also had fun. You succeeded. You won!

You remember starting your first job. You were hungry. You had ideals and integrity. You knew the world would be shaped by what you would do, because you braved the deep end, and you got the girl, and you did the work.

You look in the mirror and wonder where that all went. You look at the small apartment you had to move to.

You look at the empty space on the finger of your left hand. You look at the bills in the corner of your kitchen/bathroom.

You look into the mirror and the demon of memory looks back.

He grins as you reach for the razor.

—

Credits to: ALLFATHER2233

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