“He came by to see you. After you had moved back home. You had gone inside and this handsome young man approached me.” Mom looked at me, her eyes full. “I knew then that he loved you. I didn’t know who he was, but I could tell. It’s impossible to hide that kind of love. You wear it like a sign for everyone to see. I saw it on him then and I see it on you now.”
The tears came too easily now. I didn’t try to stop them.
My mom took my hand and held it while I stood strong. For Yoss.
Refusing to fall apart.
And we waited.
Tick. Tick. Tick.
Once upon a time there was a girl who loved a boy.
He found her in blood and tears.
She stayed with him through darkness and fire.
He promised forever.
She believed him.
But he never stayed.
She spent the next fifteen years trying to live when she was only half alive. With half a heart. Always waiting for him to come back to her.
And he did.
When she least expected him.
Her heart was whole once again.
She remembered to smile. To laugh.
To love.
A happy story doesn’t always have a happy ending.
She had learned to be grateful for the temporary moments.
Because in the end, that’s all either of them had.
Fifteen Years Ago onward
Yoss
She looked miserable. Her hair was wet and hung down her back. She appeared incredibly young. And small.
And sad.
That was because of me.
I had never hated myself more.
The loudest parts of me screamed to go to her. I wanted to more than anything.
She was my survival.
My hope.
