....

Hypocrite....hypocrite....hypocrite....
 
The nagging word crooned itself into Emmy's mind over and over again until she felt a burning in her chest that tore into her heart.

I'm not!

Hypocrite...hypocrite.....hypocrite....

I'm not!

Are you sure about that?

Tears burned her eyes as she walked stormily home, the early May breeze blowing cold and fast. The promise of rain hung in the air and Emmy knew her father would be at home taking in the hummingbird feeder before it could blow to the ground with a smash. Shivering, Emmy tried to shrug off the cold, condemning feelings as easily as she could the quivering of her skin. She heard her voice echo inside her head, the words she'd spoken only a few hours ago.

 "You were drinking and smoking!? What on earth for? Don't you realize how dangerous that is?" She'd been aghast, horrified for her friend. "What if you get addicted or alcoholic?"

"I've only done it once or twice."

"But still..."

"I won't get addicted."

"You better not!"

Emmy tried to bury the memory, her self-righteous Shoulder Angel digging deep into her mind for a hiding place. But her conscience wouldn't leave her be. Still it chanted on and on....

Hypocrite.....hypocrite....hypocrite.....