Sexual Initiation

The door clicked shut, leaving a sudden, heavy silence in the wake of the kids' departure. I stared at the closed door for a long moment, the echo of their chatter still bouncing around my mind. I adjusted the scratchy hospital blanket over my legs, letting out a long, slow breath. The sterile smell of antiseptic and clean linen filled my nose. It wasn't the birthday I had envisioned, but my heart