The person walking beside me is my best friend. We have a decade of friendship under our belt and understand each other on a level others wouldn't understand.
Inseparable and connected by the hip. Physical distance had once made things less convenient, but our friendship remains as strong as ever.
Today, I'm walking beside someone I barely recognize and I wonder if they feel the same about me.
I have so much love for them and countless memories, but maybe that's all there is now. We have different priorities and it makes it hard for either of us to relate to each other. A once comfortable silence feels deadly now with our recent bickering.
We continue walking, the sound of our breathing filling the silence. I wonder if we're both reminiscing on our good history.
Bella's grandma, Rosa did her own makeup frequently. Blushed cheeks and bold colored lips for special occasions. She always used her vintage gold compact mirror. It stayed in her purse and traveled with her. The makeup compact always intrigued Bella even though the powder was gone inside and the gold paint was wearing off. Her granddaughter's intrigue in the old, barely usable item confused Rosa.
Bella and her grandma lived 300 miles away from each other. They also shared a language barrier, but found ways to communicate as best they could. Upon saying their goodbyes from a family gathering, Rosa hugged Bella and slipped the compact into her hands. Still confused about the fascination with the compact, but understanding that it carried some importance to Bella.
Bella choked back tears and gave her grandma another hug. She felt honored to have this item that her grandmother had used daily, and hoped she could keep introduce it into her own daily routine to feel connected to her grandmother. Bella opened the compact and saw her reflection in the mirror. For once, she didn't wince at her own reflection in the mirror— she smiled. A toothy grin with tear-filled eyes.
I won't always be there, but I'm lying beneath the surface.
I've missed you lately, so I'm back like a flare.
Giving you a rosy kiss, dryness, discomfort on your cheek.
The wind infuriates me, so I peel your largest organ.
Eventually I'll calm, but I'll be sure to visit again soon.
Yours always, Rosacea
The woman in the purple hat was my most loyal customer. She ordered her usual herbal tea and almond croissant daily. It came out to $8 even and I'd eventually allow her to leave the money under the plate, as she was in a rush most days.
One day the money wasn't under the plate. The shop hadn't been doing well, but I was more concerned with purple hat lady and her seemingly unusual behavior. I asked the surrounding shops if they'd seen purple hat lady and if they had, what general direction she goes to proceed on with her day. Just as I turned the corner, I spotted the hat! I picked up my pace to a speed walk and when I caught up to her I asked if she were alright. I prefaced that I wasn't upset about the money, just concerned with the sudden change.
She said she was fine, but it had been a while since she felt cared for. She spent days wondering how alone she was in the world with no family or friends. We were both feeling vulnerable. Then I began to tell her how I felt lonely most days, my main comfort and connection to the world being the satisfied customers at my cafe. She went silent and I asked her what she was thinking. She said sorry for dashing without paying and introduced herself as Violetta. I asked her about her hat and we no longer felt lonely.
darkness settles in the room. the illusion of a peaceful sleep. a dream.
sleepy eyes and a dazed mind. the bedroom door propped open slightly. a glimpse of the hallway.
there he stood. tall, peering in, hat secure on his head.
the darkness grows, at the foot of my bed.
a nightmare.
I felt so nauseous. I couldn't hide my feelings any longer, it felt like they were pounding out of my chest. I've never been one to be brave or risky, but this undying love was eating me alive.
I approached you, like any other day. We laughed about old memories and made promises to catch up soon. After our goodbyes, I asked you to wait.
I just have to get something off my chest. Our energy together feels magnetic and we share a deep understanding. We see each other for who we are. Without masks. I don't want to risk ruining what we have, but it may be worth it for the chance to experience a future together.
You smile and say how flattered you are. You thank me and say gently that you don't feel the same way.
alarmingly still. seemingly dependable. calm wind through the grass.
yet, eerie and mystifying. unknown to me.
full of critters unnervingly existing, desperate for their survival.
fear looming without the words to accurately describe it.
I'd grow to learn these crawlers were just as misunderstood as the small child trembling in the tall grass.
not creepy.
