The Last Meeting
The ambient noise of the subway station became a steady roar in his ears. He’s used to it by now. He concentrates on her. Looking down the tracks, he sees her looking at him out of the corner of his eye. She’s thinking something, but as usual he has no idea what it is. She waits for him to look at her again then says,
“He thinks you moved here because of me.”
So, the conversation has moved back to her boyfriend. He’s tried to be friendly with the guy, but the boyfriend won’t have anything to do with him. “What? That’s silly. You did tell him that I decided to move here long before you did.” Which is true. Chicago was on his mind before he got emotionally involved with her, before he fell in love with her. Fate brought them to the same city at the same time, not that it makes any difference.
“Yes, but he stills thinks you moved here because of me. He thinks you still have feelings for me."
How perceptive of him. “Really . . .”
“Yeah, and he doesn’t like it when I spend time with you.”
A sudden rush of frustration races up his spine. He does not understand why she puts up with the guy. He can remember a time when she was as stubborn as he is, but now she’s been tamed. Tamed by someone who’s unwilling to even be at the same place at the same time with a perceived threat. At least she came this time, and without a curfew for once. “Do you two ever fight?”
“Of course we do.”
“Ok, it just seems like he likes to stay in control. I don’t know why he’s worried about me. I see you, what, once every six months?” Another pang of frustration hits his chest this time. Every time he thinks he's over her, he sees her dark hair and piercing green eyes, and feels everything all over again.
“I know, but he thinks you still have feelings for me.”
“ . . .” He looked away too quickly on that last comment. He’s pretty sure she caught it. He’s been very careful to keep the walls up. He decided a long time ago not to ever let her see what he really feels. He knows it would be better for all if she remains under the impression that he is over her. But, now he's worried he gave something away just then. The roar of the approaching train breaks his concentration. “Thank god.” He says masked by the noise.
“He thinks you moved here because of me.”
So, the conversation has moved back to her boyfriend. He’s tried to be friendly with the guy, but the boyfriend won’t have anything to do with him. “What? That’s silly. You did tell him that I decided to move here long before you did.” Which is true. Chicago was on his mind before he got emotionally involved with her, before he fell in love with her. Fate brought them to the same city at the same time, not that it makes any difference.
“Yes, but he stills thinks you moved here because of me. He thinks you still have feelings for me."
How perceptive of him. “Really . . .”
“Yeah, and he doesn’t like it when I spend time with you.”
A sudden rush of frustration races up his spine. He does not understand why she puts up with the guy. He can remember a time when she was as stubborn as he is, but now she’s been tamed. Tamed by someone who’s unwilling to even be at the same place at the same time with a perceived threat. At least she came this time, and without a curfew for once. “Do you two ever fight?”
“Of course we do.”
“Ok, it just seems like he likes to stay in control. I don’t know why he’s worried about me. I see you, what, once every six months?” Another pang of frustration hits his chest this time. Every time he thinks he's over her, he sees her dark hair and piercing green eyes, and feels everything all over again.
“I know, but he thinks you still have feelings for me.”
“ . . .” He looked away too quickly on that last comment. He’s pretty sure she caught it. He’s been very careful to keep the walls up. He decided a long time ago not to ever let her see what he really feels. He knows it would be better for all if she remains under the impression that he is over her. But, now he's worried he gave something away just then. The roar of the approaching train breaks his concentration. “Thank god.” He says masked by the noise.
posted by Stephen K. at 6:54 PM
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