i was having some difficulty with the spelling of the word "vacuuming" so i decided to use the spell check. when it got to the word "voidlike" it suggested i replace it with "poodle's". now you know Part One , Part Two , Part Three , Part Four , Part Five , Part Six , Part Seven , Part Eight , Part Nine , and ummm Part Nine . ______________________________________________ A smile would have cost too much and none could be spared. The ugly barrage of words pounded arhythmically, dissonantly against the protective wall, chipping it, leaving scars. Tears burned, looking for air and trailed down cheeks, salt in wounds. I watched as forgiveness was strongarmed into a waiting van, realizing at that moment that even the lies were lies. As the chaos of the last 72 hours began dropping out of my mind I realized an emptiness had taken residence somewhere inside me and it would be there for a long while. Eventually, it would at times become a peculiar salve th...