the memory i have of you -

memory eleven

gone was the warmth of the summer and replacing it was the coolness of the fall.

you had kept your word, but we never talked that day in may.

i started to avoid you and you never came looking for me, so we both let it go.

i would smile and wave at you in the halls and you would do the same , but never more than that.

it wasn't a drift anymore. it was a river and somehow it was on fire.
in a strange way we broke each other.

we went from best friends to friends to near strangers in the last year.
and it was sad really, i didn't want us to be like that but i didn't know what else to do.

i didn't know my heart could reopen a wound that i had so carefully stitched back together, time and time again.

until you came over one friday after school,

you came in after baseball practice in the springtime.

"mom i'm home!" you yelled like old times. my mom came out like usual and said,

"was wondering when you'd be back, welcome home," she smiled then left us to our own devices.

i came down the stairs and i was so surprised to see you i didn't have a chance to say anything.

"well kara?" you asked. standing in my kitchen with the fridge open and a strawberry neatly bitten in your hand.

i smiled and went to hug you despite my inner turmoil and the fear of what was to come.

you placed your chin on the top of my head and wrapped your long arms around me.

"how've you been?"

"i'm okay, what about you?" i replied. i didn't want to tell you how i really felt. i was just glad you were in my kitchen like old times.

"i'm better now that i'm here," you said with your arms still around me.

i smiled and squeezed you tighter afraid of letting go.

"better now that i'm here," i repeated.