Our Summer : My Truth

{99} Snake

Every winter, I visited my best friend, until the year I committed my first crime. Every winter, I would drive up to our hometown, a quiet yet windy place near the mountains and after tons of deliberation, I would stop by our place under the oak tree. I would find her there calling me. She would be smiling, running her hands through the meadows that ran through the back of her place. And in the middle, in the middle the oak tree would stand, firm and tall, a divider between her property and mine. I would greet her with caution, always afraid that one day I would come home to find that her love for me had run away deep into the forest. I always feared that the distance would get to us and it would eat the joy out of her soul. But still, I would find her standing there, inviting me closer, smiling as if she could sense my hesitation. She was my better half, my person. She knew me and I her. 

We would gather under the tree, clutching the sleeves of our sweater and sipping cups of hot chocolate. The fire in our souls was never enough to keep us warm in such cold. Yet there we would stay, talking and laughing even after the shimmering stars in the universe began to distract us. Somewhere the atmosphere would change. The air would tighten and become a snake, restricting my lungs and making me dizzy. I would find myself staring into your eyes and wondering what the future held for us. Your eyes would hold such kindness. 

Every winter, I visited my best friend, until the year I committed my first crime. One winter I found you there in our spot waiting for me. My heart warmed and immediately our routine fell in, me gathering the cups and you the blankets. Yet under the oak tree, deep in the night your eyes no longer glimmered. Instead they held the sadness that I held in my heart. I waited to hear the words. I waited to hear you confirm my deepest fears. "Tell me that I'm no longer your person," I demanded in a hushed tone. Your eyes searched mine. It lasted for years. In that moment I was sure. I knew that I couldn't do it. I couldn't walk away from you and pretend you weren't my better half. Moments of silence continued forever until you whispered, "I wish I could tell you this ends well."

***

I do hope to continue this little short story. Let me know if you would like that too. 

~ Have you ever had an online meeting?

I know I am having many online meetings and I hope that if you are having online meetings too that they are going well!

So much love, 

D.O.