Sometimes, when I'm trying to clean up my face after a long night, I try to figure out what I did wrong, and I make a little list in my head so I know not to do it next time.
The throbbing on my waist where he grabbed me—I spoke out of turn. Stay quiet next time.
The bruising around my wrist—I dawdled too much when he told me to come here. Do what he says.
The hairs ripped from my head—I didn't 'perform' well enough. Sex isn't about you.
The tiny scars that freckle my face—where one ex hit me with a hurled glass when I tried to leave. Forget about what you want.
The weird angle that my pinky jets out—another broke it one night when he was drunk. Don't fight him off.
The burn mark on my upper thigh—one's wife found out. I hadn't known he was married. Learn from your mistakes.
The black eye—hmm. I'm not sure why I got that one.
I just hope I can cover it up for work tomorrow.