Bryce

you asked me the question
over fried food
and cheap wine

"would you rather fight for your integrity
or stay quiet to keep the peace?"

our eyes locked
your smile curled
and you quietly shamed me
over an innocent seeming question

your curly vowels
and twisting syllables
slithered back a year

when the shouting kept me silent
only a closed door
faking peace through hopeful eyes

shutting my ears
so i couldn't hear the spitting words
that you fought so hard to stop

i never even tried
and you haven't forgiven me since