The room looks just as inviting as a nursery play room
warm and safe
the therapist places the manikin in front of me
it is the size of the girls
my uncle likes touching

Touch where his hands were

I point to the spot between its legs where his rough scrapped fingered jabbed and bruisedpushing in and out as if digging for treasure.

How did you feel?

Robbed
lost
angry
sore

How do you feel now?

I close my eyes and inhale
a smile tugs at my lips and I say

empty really

I’ve had years of practice.