THE PATCH

We were walking across the lobby floor, heading to our seats in the auditorium.  I heard her laugh.  My head shot left, looking directly at her not 15 feet away.  I hadn't heard that laugh in seven years.  I hadn't seen her face.  Grinning ear-to-ear with joy, eyes engaged with whomever made the joke.  I could only see her head-shot before someone amongst the crowd between us moved right, and revealed her swollen belly.  She was far along.

My eyes filled quickly, a drop escaped quicker than i could realize what was happening.  He looked at me after noticing the same thing, "What did you expect?"  He had no idea what was going on in my head, and i didn't want him to know.  "We swore we never would," i replied.  And we did swear.  We said we'd never have children.  But that wasn't what it was about.  We all make promises to each other, and to ourselves, that we mean at the time.  These are different stages of our lives.  No, this was something i didn't expect to feel.

Heartbreak.

My closest friend on earth was becoming a mother, and i was missing it.  It was hard to focus on the show.  I kept an eye out for her afterwards with no luck.  

I went home that night and wrote to her.

TEASE

He's laying on my bed; wrapped up deep inside the comforter.  Leaving the bed is hard enough without him looking so cute in it.  I crawl up behind him and bury my face inside his neck.  I'm naked.  The shower is running.  I shouldn't waste the time and the water, but a few moments of his softness while he lets me be the big spoon is all i ever ask for, and rarely get.  He's so sleepy, he doesn't even care.  He doesn't struggle.  In fact, when i lay my head on his body, i can feel the faint purry vibrations of happiness.  I scratch under his collar to increase his volume.  It works.  I win.  I go shower.