Free | Freeuse Freya Parker

Freya finished her juice. The pulp stuck to her teeth. She didn’t brush it away.

Freya set down her glass and turned, bending at the waist until her palms rested on the cool stainless steel. Her mother’s hand slid up the back of her thigh, a quick, utilitarian touch. Checking for what, Freya no longer wondered. Cleanliness? Readiness? It didn’t matter. The rule was the rule: any family member, any guest of the family, any designated adult in the household hierarchy, could use her body for any momentary, non-injurious purpose. No explanation required. No refusal permitted. freeuse freya parker

She did not reply. She did not delete it. She simply let the water cool around her until the fifteen minutes ended, then pulled the plug, dried off, and put the grey dress back on. Freya finished her juice