Entry #20

In the Light of the Moon
by Linda Fort-Bolton


I think I am losing my mind. I should have known this was going to happen.

Why didn’t someone warn me?

There is a full moon out tonight; something bad is going to happen.

I should not have come home early. I wasn’t planning on it. I remember telling myself to hurry home; I didn’t understand why.

I walk up to the second floor apartment. I put my key in the lock; the door creaks open. I smell the perfume.

I stumble over to the couch; I see the red, wool coat. It looks like a pool of blood.

I hear someone laughing and whispering, so I walk over to the bedroom. I slowly open the door and perfume mixed with a pungent smell reeks out.

The velvet curtains are parted and the moon is shining in through the window. Full moon, something bad is about to happen.

I drop my eyes to the bed. They don’t see me. They are much too busy.

I look at my hand. I am holding my husband’s gun in my hand. I didn’t remember picking it up. My fingers are trembling as I pull the trigger.

Someone screams. I pull the trigger again and again.

It is quiet now. I look out the window and the only thing I see is the lonely moon.

I leave the room, closing the door behind me. I pick up the red, wool coat and hold it to my face. I smell the perfume. It is familiar.