Vincent sits stoically on his bed. His hand gingerly touches his left ear, fingers pressing against what was left of his lobe. A bloody knife sits on the table nearby. He inhales deeply; exhales slowly.

There is no pain or sense of loss.

He feels a profound sense of freedom.

Lisa Rabey (she/they) writes a GenXer about town newsletter at amostunreliablenarrator.substack.com. Her favorite Elizabeth Bennet is Keira Knightley. She is at @herioneinabook.