An Analysis of Knowing

By: Shima and Tempis

Author’s Note: Extremely short, but I think it’s better that way.

Strangers

Your touches quick and less than gentle. Breaths slow and also quick, short breaks. As if in a race, can’t stop, can’t look back, can’t regret. If you stop, you’ll think too much, and it will be over. It can’t be over, not so soon.

Two tables away, they glance at each other in a daily ritual. They never meet gazes, they don’t even know that the other is staring.

Worst part?

They don’t know who the other is, either.

Lovers

Panting, breathless, you have to match each beat. You have to keep up or you’ll get left behind. The world has closed in on the two of you and nothing else matters. You don’t regret it—or at least, you don’t think you do.

Same bed, same room, same small apartment. They don’t look at each other, their eyes are practically glue shut with sweat.

Worst part?

He doesn’t know she’s pregnant, and she doesn’t know he’s dying of AIDS.