One Last Time

I was pulled back to reality by the gentle slap of the water brushing against the rocks below. I was thirty metres above sea level, looking out at the demise of the day; the sun falling over the horizon. She sat next to me, her hair pulled softly by the dying breeze. I should have been happy, this was the perfect setting, but how could it be with her tear streaked eyes? 1

“I might be coming back,” My voice almost broke upon the wind.2

“But you won’t. I know what will happen, we’ll start by writing to each other, and then, it might be the casual call, until we have moved on with our lives.” She sounded like she was about to burst. Her tears made her whole body shake. 3

I stood up, time to go. She had tucked her legs up and was sobbing into her knees. I placed my hand on her shoulder. “I won’t let it happen.” I was beginning to well up too. I turned and started to walk away.4

“How can you?” 5

I turned. She was standing. Her eyes were red, her hands balled.6

“How can you just leave like this?” Her voice was almost desperate. “I... I never got to tell...” She collapsed onto her knees. 7

I walked back to her convulsing frame. Bending down, I lifted her head and looked into her eyes.8

“You did. Maybe not in words, but I knew. I have been happy to be your friend. I will come back. And that’s when...” I pulled her close wrapped my arms around her. Hugging her, one last time...9