EYES LIKE RAZORS

"Arthur's called a family meeting for eight o'clock." Polly informs her youngest niece as she strode into the kitchen.

"And why's he done that?" Madison questions, pouring her aunt a cup of tea and handing to her.

"God only knows."

"Then why haven't you asked him yet?" Madison asks.

"If he wanted me to know, I would." Polly replies, giving her a niece a scolding look, portraying that she didn't appreciate the mockery of her beliefs.

-

"Madi, I'm not sure I can keep doing this." Victoria says as the two women stand alone in a decaying house.

"Doing what?" Madison asks.

"This- us."

"The fuck are you talking about?" Madison replies.

"Love the sinner, but hate the sin." Victoria states, looking at Madison.

"So you love me yet still find it in yourself to hate my sexuality, to hate your sexuality." Madison scoffs.

"I'm not lesbian." Victoria whispers harshly.

"Then what the fuck have we been doing for the past few months since I've been home? You weren't saying this when my face was buried between your legs." Madison replies.

"It was a mistake, okay? I don't know what I was thinking. Sleeping with a Shelby, it's practically an abomination to my family, I could be disowned for this." Victoria speaks bluntly, ignoring the guilt in her stomach.

She was hurt when no emotions cross her lovers face, as if her comment had no effect whatsoever - Madisons face staying impassive, not portraying any signs of pain from her words, both women staying silent, before Madison started laughing.

And it was not an amused laugh, it was a hurt laugh. An 'I might go crazy', sort of laugh, one that signified that she couldn't believe what she was hearing.

"So you love me, but you're not a lesbian. You love me but it was a 'mistake' to be with me. Wow, that's made my day. Thank you Toria." Madison says, starting to walk away.

"Wait, no, come back. Madi, I didn't mean it like that." Victoria pleads, reaching for Madisons hand.

"No- don't. I get it." Madison replies. "Madison, please, I swear. I didn't mean it like that." Victoria says.

"What did you mean it like then? Eh? What the fuck am I supposed to take from that? You don't like women. You don't love me. I think it's pretty fucking clear." Madison snaps, glad that they were in an abandoned place, someone no one would be, somewhere no one knew of.

"I haven't told my family." Victoria says, looking up at Madison, who was staring down at her.

"And you think I have? You think I'm not afraid that they won't accept me for who i am? This is who you are Toria, saying you can't do it, won't just end your attraction to women." Madison replies, backing Victoria up against one of the walls.

"My brother is an inspector, he could put me in prison for being here with you." Victoria sighs, raising her hand slowly to caress Madisons cheek.

"For being associated with an illegal bookmaker or for being lesbian?" Madison questions, looking away from Victoria's enticing brown eyes, they were a deep brown, sort of like the colour of gingerbread.

"Both. At least your family wouldn't go to the police," Victoria says. "My family owns the fucking police, they could have me arrested too if they wanted." Madison states, rolling her eyes, before looking back down at Victoria whose hand was now resting on her shoulder.