19| A Taboo Topic.

Sitting across from Amani, I cross my left leg over my right and I lean back into the sofa giving him my undivided attention.

I wasn't there for him two years ago when he needed my shoulder to lean on. But, I'm here for him now, I may be tired, sore, and worried about Dmitri...

But those feelings are going to have to take a backseat ride until Amani is content with what he's shared with me.

He leans forward in his seat, spreads his legs wide open, dipping his head, he watches the bottle of whiskey in his grasp, swinging back and forth.

Silence lingers between us.

Heightened emotions are soaring high, and the beating of our hearts hammers against our ribcages.

"It is such a taboo topic for a male to speak about being raped." He speaks with venom lacing his words as he starts to open up. "Whether it be by a male or a female. But it is so much worse; degrading when you try to tell the authorities that you were sexually violated by a female half your size. The men all but laugh in