Content Warnings: ableism, implied drug use

“I don’t get it,” Ramona responded after I finally told her I was dismissed from the military.  “The Strokes explained…”

“It doesn’t matter what anyone told them.  I’ve been… removed.  Again.”  I rested my head on the table.

Ramona huffed.  “Neiwotmlefmkdmsnjriekfmdnse.  Yieomltefndhsiojemkrfejdrong.”

“I should just stop hiding it,” I muttered.  “Not like things can get any worse.”

“Hiding what?”

With a deep breath, I looked up at her.  “My defect.  Whenever it gets found out, everything falls apart anyway.  Might as well get it out of the way now.”

“What are you talking about?”

I straightened up in my chair, hesitant.  What would she do when she found out?  “I have trouble understanding what people say.  Sometimes,” I scoffed, “most times, the words come in garbled.  Or I hear something completely different than what they said.  It’s a defect that I’ve always had.  And I’m tired of pretending I don’t.”

Silence.  Ramona frowned.  “What does that have to do with the military dismissing you?”

“Because they can’t trust someone who lies about it.”

  “Alright!”  Ramona exclaimed suddenly, slamming her hands on the table.  “Iwejtmledto chejkmlefkdjhusijormklewrnjfhueirjdo.  So get ready because we’re having a girls’ night, my treat.”

At Ramona’s insistence, I put on a long red dress and open-backed heels. They were the first things I’d bought when I arrived in Illagu, but I had never found a reason to wear them.  I followed Ramona through the city without a clue as to where we were going, until we arrived at the entrance of a theatre.

“A play?” I asked as she opened the door.

“Yeah.  It’s a comedy.  You’ll love it!”

I glanced at the poster by the doors skeptically.  I didn’t think she was right about me enjoying this.  When the play began, it didn’t take long for me to regret going along with Ramona’s plans.

“Wjieotmekldisojtkmlerfmdsnahiorkfetmjefuhdjskmsrfstere,” one of the actors on stage said.

The crowd around me laughed.  I glanced at them, every last person laughing hard enough to cry.  Returning my attention to the stage, the actors said another line that I didn’t understand.  More laughter, more confusion for me.

I glanced over at Ramona, tears streaming down her face.

Another joke told that I couldn’t decipher, more laughter from the crowd.  I’d had enough.

“I’m going,” I said to Ramona, leaving my seat before she could even respond.  I walked down the aisle of the theatre, ignoring the curious glances of the audience as I walked by.

“Dax!” Ramona called as I entered the lobby.

I ignored her, shaking my head as I stepped out onto the cobblestone road.

“Dax, what’s wrong?!” she cried.

I stopped in my tracks.  “What’s wrong?” I repeated with a scoff.  “What’s wrong?!” I spun to face her.  “What’s.  Wrong?!”

Ramona took a step back.

“Are you kidding me?!” I screamed.  “I told you about my defect!  I told you exactly what people sound like to me and you bring me to… this?!”  I waved my hands in the direction of the theatre.

Ramona looked horrified.  “I’m… I’m sorry,” she said.  “I didn’t think.  Really, Dax, I’m sorry.  I’ll make it up to you.”

“Forget it.”

“But – ”

“Go back and enjoy your show, Ramona.  Leave me alone.”

I turned my back on her, walking the streets home.  It was just one thing after another and I needed a break from it, from all of it.  I needed to forget for just a little while.  I wanted to feel better, somehow.

That’s when I remembered there was soot in Leslie’s kitchen.

To be continued…

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