My Silhouette

On a front porch, stands two figures outlined in the moonlight. She speaks to him first.

‘What are you doing here?’

‘I couldn’t leave without saying goodbye.’

‘Why are you doing this? What do you have to leave at all?’

‘I made the commitment. And I won’t turn my back on that.’

‘What about the promise you made to your brother? What about me?’

‘I can’t change what happened with him. And neither can you.’

‘At least you understand that now. I just wish I could understand you.’ She turns her back on him to light her cigarette.

He watches her silently then turns her to face him.

She refuses to look at him.

He studies her face as she clutches the cigarette.

‘I have to do this.’

She looked up at him with tears in her eyes. ‘You have nothing to prove to him you know that right? He won’t love you any less.’ She turned her face away. ‘Neither will I.’

He didn’t say anything, but stepped closer. He pulled her face close and kissed her. When he pulled away, her eyes were still closed.

She breathed deep, engraving him in her memory. ‘I won’t be able to breath until you come back.’

He took a deep breath and clenched his fists. ‘I’m not coming back.’

Her eyes flew open. ‘What?’

‘I’m not coming back. This is it. I won’t be allowed to come back anymore.’

‘Why not?’

‘I just can’t.’

She chewed her lip. ‘When do you have to go?’

‘Tonight. I only came to say goodbye.’

She choked back a sob.

He reached out and touched her face. ‘What I wouldn’t give to be able to spend one last night with you.’

‘So give it up. Walk away from it and stay here. Then there won’t be a last night. Ever.’

‘You are making it so hard to leave right now.’

‘So don’t.’

He was silent for a moment, then kissed her tenderly once more. He turned and walked down the steps. He turned and looked at her. ‘Promise me something. Forget me. Don’t hold on to this, to me. Let me go and move on in your life.’

‘I can’t.’

‘You have to. Let me go. There are men out there who will be so much better for you. You have the whole world to conquer. And you will.’

‘Then promise it to me, too.’

‘I promise never to forget you.’ He turned and disappeared into the darkness.

She was left on the porch with her memories and tears.

i’m watching your eyes move slowly
up and down my silhouette
and I wonder if you get it yet
this is the last time I crawl away on broken knees
and don’t you wish all it would be ok

promise me you’ll forget me
you said as you walked away
don’t hold on please let go of me
you make it so hard to leave

and I can’t breath with out you here
for fear i’ll catch your scent
and we both know how bad I get
I don’t do well or dwell in change
and don’t you know that
three small words could make this all ok

promise me you’ll forget me
you said as you walked away
don’t hold on please let go of me
you make it so hard to leave

you promised me
you’ll never forget me
you promised me
you’ll never forget
you promised me

~A Second Chance