F r o z e n / R e u n i o n

It’s cold. The streets are painted with solid ice and the blistery breeze slurs around like a drunken fool. The moonlight cascades over me, lighting my way, though I was never certain which direction I am headed to in the first place. For just one moment, the moon appears the brightest I have ever seen it to be. If I had noticed it…would you still be here at my side?

If I had noticed then how lonely the moon was…I should have known better to never let you go.

My now wrinkly hands dig into my pockets. As I amble further away, the more people disappear and I am left as the only solitary figure there. Fog disperses out of my mouth, devouring the night away. I step onto the frozen grass and see something I don’t want to see. Something I wasn’t ready to confront yet. How I wandered to this morbid place, I don’t know. But for some absurd reason…you’re here too.

You out of all people.

Under the red umbrella, you stood in the rain. You stood there staring straight at me. Staring at me as if you cared…

“Lance,” you whisper in recognition, eyes sparking in the same colour as autumn leaves.

I glance away, clearing my throat. I blame the rain for making me shiver. “Sarah.”

“It’s been a long time.”

“Yes, it has,” I say. “How are y-”

“Sorry, I need to go. He's waiting for me. Jason…he’s waiting for me.”

“Jason?” I say the name tersely.

“My husband.”

I nod.

It feels as if the ice beneath me has broken. You’re married? This time, I stare at you directly. You’re staring at me blatantly in return with your deadly smile that could kill anyone you wished to kill. Your tresses are pulled back into a neat bun. You never liked your hair ever going wild – I guess you haven’t changed.

You wander towards me, taking off that beige scarf you’re wearing. You instinctively wrap it around my bare neck that welcomes your warmth. “You’re still the same. You’re too stubborn to ever look at the forecast.”

“It’s the surp-”

“Surprise of knowing how the day will turn up,” she ended. “I know.”

“You should get going. He’s waiting for you.”

“I should.”

“Good-bye.”

Receiving a final wink, I watched you exit the frosty park. The swing stayed immobilized from the ice – very unlike our pasts. How I used to push you on that swing so freely and lively. Your infamous infectious laughter still stings my ears. My eyes close shut.

I don’t want to let you go again…

I’m about to call for you, but in the last second I pause. I hesitate. I let my cowardice sink me further down and nothing escapes my lips. Nothing. I watch you fade away, like the other people in my life. But you will still remain so vivid and so clear. It’s like you purposely knew that you’d haunt me in my own memories. I readjusted my new scarf. You’re gone.

Yet somehow I can still your blissful laughter amongst the dead park. Somehow, just from one doze of you…everything becomes alive again.

Time taken: 15 minutes

Proofread: No

Mood: Reminiscent

Dedication to: You

Please: review ;)