What does Desperation taste like?

Desperation is the soap with which your mother once washed out your mouth. It always smelled so sweet, like cinnamon and lavender, and you’d always been tempted to take a little bite.... But now it’s really in your mouth, and you want to scream. It burns. It’s scratching your throat. Your teeth dig into the soft surface and come out with flecks that catch in your retainer. Will toothpaste get those out?

She removes her hand from the back of your head and pats you on your back. Hard. Then she takes the soap out of your mouth and puts it back where it belongs. “Don’t you ever say that nasty word again, you hear?”

She leaves the room, and you rinse out your mouth, staring at the battered bar of soap. It didn’t taste good, but it still feels good as you rub it against your hands. The textured surface now seems to add something to the sensory experience. You don’t want to stop. By the time the bar is gone, its bubbles swirling in the drain, your hands are bright red from scrubbing. You wish you had more soap.