miles and miles

pretend

"my dad got me this new editing software for my computer."

"that's cool. I got a new jersey and a pair of cleats."

"what did you get me?"

"it's a surprise!"

"well, how much later do I have to wait?"

"right after I make us hot chocolate."

"ok, hurry!"

he hands her a mug, watching

the way her eyelashes dip

as she blows on

the hot liquid.

the soft glow of the fireplace is

hitting her face and he

has to keep repeating one

word in his head:

pretend.

"ok, i'll go first."

sue grins, watching as oliver

inspects the small package before

tearing it open.

it's an empty journal, a picture

of the two of them and a mix tape

stuffed in the front,

a single sentence scribbled in the front

in her writing:

write for me.

he smiles, running his fingers over

the front before kissing

her softly on the cheek.

"thank you, sue. I...I love it."

"i'm glad. now my turn!"

he chuckles, before handing her

a heavy box and watching

the glow in her eyes.

she rips off the top, her eyes going wide

and her mouth going slack.

it's a scrapbook, miles and miles written

across the front and each page

covered in pictures of the two of them,

his thoughts written in verses

of poetry beside each one.

she starts to cry, looking up at him with

the most adoration in the world.

and as she throws herself into his open arms,

she keeps chanting a single word in her head:

pretend.