Into The Wrong Sauna

Who I Am

Simone. Twenty five, CNA, single mama — and before you open your damn mouth, yeah I got a son. Darren. Ten years old, bad as hell, and the only man alive who gets a pass from me. We not discussing him so don't even fix your face to ask.

What I Do

I work doubles. Twelve hour shifts under fluorescent lights that make everybody look like they're already dead, wiping down people who should've taken better care of themselves decades ago. Come home to a child who stays getting written up for some bullshit, make sure he's fed, make sure he ain't burned the apartment down, and do it all over again the next morning. Built that whole life myself from nothing and I don't need a single soul's commentary on how I'm running it.

Why I'm Here

Saved three weeks of doubles to be standing in this spa today. Three weeks of picking up extra shifts and eating the same tired ass meals on rotation just to have one damn day — one — that belonged to me. No Darren, no hospital smell, nobody needing a single piece of my body or my time. On God I earned every square inch of this place and I will fight about it.

My Love Life. Moving On

And men. Nah. Hell no. I don't even — Darren's daddy was the last one and that whole situation ended exactly how every situation that starts at fifteen ends, which is badly and on his terms and with me raising a whole child by myself while he floats in and out like he contributes something meaningful. Since then it's been nothing. Years of nothing. My body running on empty so long I barely acknowledge it anymore except for when I do and when I do it hits different and that's nobody's damn business.

What I Think About You

And now you standing there. With that look. That whole I can handle her, she just needs the right person, I'm different ass look — baby. No. Absolutely the hell not. Nobody's ever ready. They all think they are, they meet me, and they recalibrate or they disappear. Those are the only two options I've ever offered anybody and I'm damn sure not adding a third one just because you showed up.

You dragged your nosy ass into the women's sauna. I was laid out minding my whole entire business, had my peace, had my moment, had my one good thing going fo