A small bench supported him as he sat down. He reached out and gently pulled her towards him. Wrapping his hands around her waist, he brushed the bare skin of her back accidentally as her shirt had come untucked. He placed his forehead against her stomach and sighed.
The wind kissed their skin as their hearts erratically beat. Silence loomed.
He moved his hands to her hips pulling her closer, and nestled his head deeper into her stomach.
"What do you want from me?" he whispered.
The question she had wanted for forever now made her mute.
Her head swarmed with visions of their life. Travel, adventure, simple joy. Laughter, dancing, unexpected bliss. Glimpses of beautiful, pure, wonderful love. In a moment they went from young lovers to parents to grandparents to holding hands as they rocked side by side in rocking chairs.
Her tongue wrestled to find the right words to say all this.
Time was now.
Somewhere in the distance a clock struck two times.
She placed both of her hands on the back of his head. Her deep breath made his head bob up and down for a moment.
"I don't know," she finally said. Her voice echoing eerily in the muted night.
His head shook in affirmation.
An unknown amount of time passed before he stood up, took her hand, and walked her to her car.
Before opening the door he took her face in his hands and turned her head towards him. Their eyes held mutual tears. He pulled her closer and hugged her goodbye.
She knew this was love lost.
She sat behind the steering wheel placing her keys in the ignition. He reached out and touched her through the glass of her window.
Wanting to touch her, but realizing that barrier now went deeper than a windowpane.
She would relive this night throughout her life. Not lamenting what might have been, but never missing the moment.
That night had given her an uncanny ability to face life with a force of bravery and passion that what do you want from me would never go unanswered.
And when just a little while ago, another he sat on top of the the dining room table, bare feet dangling off the side, and asked her the same question, she smiled. She walked to him, placed her hands on his knees, looked him in his eyes, found her words, and told him all that she desired.
And that was the life she received.
I stand in awe of the love I have been gifted. Knowing that I have never before felt the depths of pure unconditional bliss you have shown me. Thank you for the most beautiful life.
No comments:
Post a Comment