The gas bill is the one that does it

The gas bill is the one that does it.

A quick, white slide across the webbing

between my thumb and index finger.

It doesn't even hurt at first.

Just a clean, pale line

against the tan of my hand.

Then the red starts to well up,

bright and busy.

I drop the mail on the rug.

The house is too quiet

for this much stinging.