My Childhood Friend Misled Me

My childhood sweetheart forgot me.

He smashed a scalding teacup into my face, broke my back with his thick walking stick, and nearly choked me to death with his strong hands around my neck.

I didn’t blame him. I knew he was simply ill.

I kept hoping that one day he would remember me.

Then all the pain I’d suffered would disappear without a trace.

But that day never came, not even before I died.