Before I Knew You

Sitting at the edge of the water with my head in my hands and my salty tears adding to the volume of the ocean. My mind was racing almost as fast as my pulse, and I couldn't tell if I was hungry or about to throw up.

How could he do this to me? I thought I was all he ever wanted. How could he bring her to my place? This is my favorite spot on the beach. It's dark and secluded. You can't see your hand in front of your face. He knows I go there to think. How could he?

My mind was the only thing I could hear. The waves crashing against the shore were faint compared to my thoughts.

We were just about to... my thoughts were interrupted by a knee to the head. I know it had to be an accident but how dare this person interrupt my pity party... I thought.

"Oh my God! Are you okay?" I heard him say and felt a hand on my face, "Oh God I hurt you. Your bleeding..."

I swatted the direction the hand came from, "I'm not bleeding you idiot! Its tears and I was perfectly fine until you decided to assault me!"

He laughed, "Whoa there honey. I was just trying to take a walk. Honestly I have NO idea where I am, but it was dark, and I knew nobody would see me out here."

I scoffed, "What are you running from the cops or something?"

He laughed again, "I wish. That would be a piece of cake."

There was a long silence. I was looking into the black hole and only knew there was an ocean out there because the waves were crashing at my feet. I thought my assailant had moved on until he cleared his throat and scared me half to death, "So if you don't mind me asking..." he paused and slowly continues, "Why are you crying?"

My tears turned to anger almost in an instant, "Why do you care? You don't know me..." I paused looking in the direction of the voice, "Or hell maybe you do. Maybe your him and trying to find out exactly what I know." I got up to storm off but tripped over my assailant who was apparently sitting next to me, "UGH! Are you trying to kill me?" I screamed.

He tried to muffle it but I could hear him laughing, "I'm not trying to kill you. Honestly if I could find my way out of here I might go away..."

I interrupted, "Do you need directions?"

He laughed, "You are a feisty one aren't you. I'm guessing since your being SO polite to me that a man has broken your heart..."

It was my turn to laugh, "No my dear THAT is not what you would call a man. THAT is what you would call a little boy who doesn't want to grow up..." I hesitated, "But why am I telling you anything? I don't know you..." I paused and questioned, "Or do I?"

He questioned, "Why do you keep saying that. Do you think you know me?"

I thought for a minute, "Well your voice sounds familiar, and it is a small town, so you are probably one of his friends either trying to get information for him or get in my pants...neither of which is going to happen."

"Hmm..." the voice replied, "Well I'm almost positive I don't know who HE is so that would mean I'm not trying to get information for him and as far as getting in your pants...Well I'm just not like that."

I laughed, "You're a man aren't you?"

"Yeah but the key word there is MAN. I'm not some little boy. I used to be, but I grew up pretty fast. Kinda had to."

I questioned in a condescending tone, "Abusive parents?"

He laughed, "Oh no. Nothing like that...Look I don't want to talk about me. All you need to know about me is that I'm NOT running from the police. I DON'T know you OR him. I'm NOT trying to get in your pants. I'm NOT a little boy but most importantly I did NOT mean to kick you in the head."