For the Love of Diamond

The story I'm submitting today is a sign of never giving up. I have submitted this story before to other things. It wasn't until recently that it allowed me the opportunity to perform in the first upcoming Lambda LitFest. It's terrible to look for validation but sometimes we need the universe to tell us we're doing something right. This comes in the form of awards and acknowledgment in our chosen craft. This is only the tip of the iceberg and I'm truly excited for the opportunity. I haven't figured out everything yet but I know by just moving forward I'm doing what I need to do.

For now I would like you to enjoy the following story that won me my spot at the Lambda LitFest titled For the Love of Diamond. The full story can be found here.

At this point I’m barely standing as fatigue starts to take hold. Diamond’s set should be done by now, she’ll be looking for me. She won’t find me inside though. Instead I’m outside in the cold concrete parking lot with my arms hanging uselessly at my side as Alec pins me to the fence about thirty or so feet from the strip club expressing his great displeasure with me dating his ex-girlfriend. Right now he wants to know why I’m with her.

The words slip from my mouth without a thought. "It's her eyes.”

Alec holds a fistful of my shirt ignoring any qualms people normally have about personal space.  At least his breath is not overwhelming making me thankful that a toothbrush is part of his daily hygiene. The fact, however, that I can hardly breathe as he keeps me in a strangle-hold makes it a moot point. I can barely fill my lungs let alone inhale any alcoholic fumes that might be escaping from his mouth as he screams into my face."What did you say?" The anger in Alec's voice physically manifests itself in the bulge that is his beefy sportsman neck where the veins appear like a latticework of chaotic crossroads. Alec isn’t playing football anymore but he still keeps a jock physique.

I manage to gasp the words again. "H-her eyes." I’ve given him what I think is a legitimate, and might I add truthful, answer. I can tell it isn't to his satisfaction when I feel him slam me repeatedly against the fence causing the metal to pinch my back painfully. I look ruefully past Alec to my jacket lying on the ground wishing to be in it right now. We’ve been at this for some time now and it would be useful in not only absorbing some of this impact but also keeping me warm. 

            "Bullshit, her eyes? You leave all the way from campus to come here for her eyes?” He turns his head to the side and spits then refocuses his rage back towards me.