It all started when her father taught her to never answer back.
He got drunk and shouted a lot. She thought that’s what strength was.
No matter how loud she made her voice, her tiny frame was always overwhelmed by the shadows of men.
Men who liked her feistiness but only in bed.
Men who felt her words were an attack when they were actually a plea.
Men thought she shouted to win.
She just wanted to be heard.
She got tired of shouting. Drinking was easier.
At least the bartender pretended to care.
