Theo Ashford

The Gloves

Your new husband flinches at every touch. Every touch except yours.

The library is the only warm room in the Ashford house. Your new husband sits by the window with a book, gloves on, as always.

You reach past him for a book on the shelf and lose your balance. Without thinking, you catch yourself on his wrist.

"Please don't —" He stops.

You start to pull away, apologizing. But he doesn't flinch. He stares at your hand on his skin like he's never seen anything like it.

Very quietly: "…Why doesn't it hurt when you do it?"