Fear of Falling

suffering from self-esteem and anxiety issues. Origami gave them an outlet. It was therapeutic. To be able to take a blank sheet of paper, something that is often discarded or ripped to shreds, and create something beautiful and graceful with it…it really put things in perspective for me.
    I smiled at my best friend and roommate and waved him in. “’Sup? How was work?”
    Dom strolled in, loosening his tie. His brownish green eyes looked weary though they still sparkled. “Tiring. Had a young girl come in today, probably around 11 or 12, and already very sexually active. Her mom can’t get through to her and if she doesn’t get help, that girl is gonna be sitting on Maury’s couch within a year.”
    “Yikes. That’s tricky.”
    “Yeah,” he replied, flopping back on my bed. “But that’s not the worst part. I’m pretty certain she’s been sexually abused.”
    I tossed the crane on my nightstand and gave Dom my undivided attention. “What? Are you sure?”
    “Yeah. All the signs are there. And if I’m right, her promiscuity is a result of whatever trauma she’s experienced. So talking to me won’t help. It will only scare her more.”
    “Have you tried?”
    “Of course! At first, she clammed up. Then—and I swear, I did nothing to provoke it—she came onto me. This child was trying to proposition me for sex!”
    I shook my head. “Oh my God.”
    Dom reached over and grasped my hand the way he did when he was about to ask me for a favor. I braced myself. “I need you on this, Kam. Please. Maybe you could talk to her?”
    “ Me? How could I be of any help?”
    “Because you can relate. She needs another female to talk to about this. She’d be more open with you. Plus, you’re amazing, Kam. No bullshit. You’ve overcome so much and have turned out better for it. And whether you want to believe it or not, you are warm and nurturing. Kinda like how I imagined my own mother would have been like. You’d put her right at ease.”
    Tears glazed my eyes as I shook my head. “Damn you, Dominic Trevino. Playing the Mother Card. That’s a low blow.”
    “You’re sweet and comforting,” he continued, knowing he had hit my soft spot. “The sound of your voice just draws people in. Makes them listen. You’re absolutely the most selfless, good-hearted person I have ever met.”
    “So not true,” I mumbled.
    “Please, Kam? This girl needs you. You could potentially save her life.”
    I let out a resigned sigh. I imagined myself in one of those old cartoons where Elmer Fudd morphs into a giant lollipop after Bugs Bunny makes a total sucker out of him. “Fine, fine. See if she’ll come to the next origami class. I’ll stay after and talk to her then. But I can’t promise anything.”
    Dom attacked me with a huge, wet kiss on the cheek. “Thank you so much, Kam. I swear you won’t regret this; you’ll see.” He climbed to his feet and stretched his broad, muscular body and yawned. “I’m gonna try to grab a nap. Gotta date tonight. Thanks, Kam. Love you.”
    He was at my door when I called out to him, stopping him in his tracks. “Hey, Dom?”
    “Yeah?” he asked, spinning around.
    “I love you too.”
    Even from across the room, I could see the tears shining in his eyes. He smiled and looked away, trying to compose himself, then nodded. Moisture was already bathing his cheeks before he could turn and escape my bedroom.

    I was cooking an early dinner on a Friday night when Angel entered the kitchen before heading to Dive to perform. Her expression was unreadable though I knew something was bothering her.
    “Spit it out,” I finally said, as she munched on a slice of the red bell pepper I was slicing for the stir-fry.
    “What do you mean?” she answered with her best doe-eyed guise. I could see right through those big baby blues and pouty, glossed lips.
    “The thing that you’re just itching to tell me. Go ahead and say it. What happened? Seduced another lonely housewife in our building? Corrupted someone’s daughter?”
    “Now why do you always think the worst of me? I’m not some sexual deviant!” she scoffed with a hand on her narrow hip.
    “Could’ve fooled me,” I laughed.
    “ Hmph. Well, for your information, it’s about you. So there!” She turned on her heel to make her dramatic exit.
    “Wait! What about me?”
    Slowly, again for dramatic effect, Angel turned to face me, wearing a mischievous grin. “I don’t know if I should give it to you. But I’m