Talk to me.
An hour passes. I resend it desperately, fully aware of how pathetic I am.
Talk to me.
I’m ok, the reply comes two minutes later, and I jump up in bed.
Are you here?I type.
I’m here, Isaiah.
When will I see you?
I’ll see you tomorrow, as usual, she replies.
Then, again:I can’t stay away from the woods.
From you.
I’m sorry for what I did… I’m sorry.
I sit up to type furiously:You didn’t do anything wrong.
I made you leave. And I wish I hadn’t. I don’t… I don’t want you to be alone after what happened. I don’t want you to be alone, ever.
Don’t worry about me, Isaiah.I’m ok. I have you.
In a second, all the messages disappear, deleted.
She did tell me she might delete our texts in case her dad sees them, but I didn’t expect her to do it immediately.
It doesn’t matter anyway. I remember every word. I see her words in my head, as clearly as if I could scroll back and read our entire conversation again and again.
Don’t worry about me. As if that’s ever going to happen.
I’m ok.Somehow, I don’t think she is ok.
I have you.That much is true. Boy, does she ever have me.
I’ll see you tomorrow, as usual.
And on that, I sleep.
Book Margin
The book: Eden’s copy ofPersuasionbyJane Austen
The scene: Captain Wentworth’s proposal
This is the most beautiful piece of writing I have ever read.
I wish I had someone to share it with.
seventeen
The next day, she is waiting for me. I don’t kiss her ravenously, like I want to. Instead, I sit quietly next to her and recite my lessons while we both freeze our asses off.
We do the same thing the next day.