I ONCE TOLD MY SISTER A STORY, about a spider that lives in my room.

“I have a spider that lives in my room,” I said, “and I never kill it. I see it all the time, and just let it live in my room. It doesn’t bother me, and I don’t bother it.”

She quickly retorted, “Jenny, you’re stupid! Why…why would you do that? You know it’s probably not the same spider you’ve been seeing, but one of many. If you keep letting it get away it’s just going to have more spiders…”

I’ve come to realize how I live my life, letting things build up whilst being oblivious. Tonight I saw one small spider scamper across my closet floor—much smaller than the one I’d always let get away—and it served as a sign. Certain things in my life have gotten out of control, not just the arachnids lodging under my dresser drawers; things greater. I just choose to ignore them in hopes that they’re not as numbered, as petrifying, or not crawling into my mouth at night.

And so, it is time to kill my spider.