“But I just said hello.”

“You also sat on the bench.”

“That’s absurd. You’re telling me that just because I sat on a bench with a goddess of heartbreak that my whole life is ruined?”

The goddess almost sighed, but caught herself this once. “I know it’s unfair. You were just being friendly. You shouldn’t have to carry this burden, but look at it this way. By carrying the pain, you are keeping someone else from having to carry it. Your sacrifice will allow others to know love and joy. It won’t be in vain.”

“Well, whoop-de-fuckin’-doo.”

Bonnie stormed into the kitchen and drank tomato juice right out of the carton. It spilled down her blouse. She didn’t care.

“Nothing would make me happier than to leave you alone,” said the goddess from the living room. “Well, actually, something would make me happier, but let’s not dwell on impossibilities.”

Bonnie leaned against the refrigerator. The emptiness inside her would stay, she realized. A yawning, devouring cold that would eventually consume her. She yanked a dirty steak knife out of the sink and held it in tight white knuckles.

She had to end it.

The goddess stood in the kitchen doorway. “I’m sorry, Bonnie. I really am.”

“Stop saying that!”

Bonnie charged. She pushed the goddess to the floor and stabbed her in the heart. Bonnie plunged the blade in over and over and over. Every stab stoked the flames of rage, fueled by a need to feel anything besides nothing. Five minutes later, her fury faded but the emptiness remained.

The goddess, her sad face etched with boredom, looked up at Bonnie.

“Are you through?”

There wasn’t a drop of blood on the knife, nor a mark left on the goddess’s flesh. Bonnie dropped the weapon and dragged herself to the sofa. The goddess sat beside her.