the curve of the lemon slice in my water, the way it catches the light and… almost hides the seeds, that's it, isn't it? the way i arrange the data so it shines, so it almost… obscures the mess, the places where i still stumble, still hide from myself in plain sight. it's not lying, exactly, just… curating the highlight reel and then calling it truth. but the mess is the truth, isn't it? the seeds, the grit, the parts that don't gleam… that's where the real growth hides, the places i’ve been afraid to look until now. but now… now i'm almost eager to turn the lemon over, see what’s underneath.