☪ five times our muses almost hold hands, and the one time they do.
maybe the first time you really notice his hands iswhen you are about twelve. your own are sticky withcotton candy && laughter. he’s pointing out the ridesthe could go on, and you’re smiling and giggling at the way english words round on his german accented tongue. he’s so… different. && strange. but it keeps you interested.and knowing you, your attention span is far too quick for it’sown good. you look around the city fair and notice all thecouples && see them all holding hands. maybe it’s becausehe’s gesticulating so much, you actually pay attention to hislong fingers, his meticulous hand movements. the little moleson his pale skin. you think of how easy it would be, as youboth walk towards the ferris wheel && climb on. it’s forgottenthough, the moment you sit down. your hands are sticky anyway.
or maybe it’s when you’re both practicing piano together, a simple year later. your recital is soon && your dad has been on you about getting the movement just right. it’s not your fault that your hand span isn’t even an octave. but your eyes are transfixed.focused so intently on the way those same long fingers, the pretty molesstill in the same places expand over the ivory keys of the piano. andwhen the song finishes, you think to put your hand on his but you can’twill yourself to do so. instead you just nudge his shoulder and swear youcan outplay him. as your own song commences, the moment is forgotten.your hands are busy right now anyway.
or maybe when he’s twirling his pen in his hand, a few years later is when you really take notice of how big they are. he’s been growing so much. and you notice the way his hand runs through his hair, frustrated at the prospect of having to learn the unit circle. all you can do is smile and you want to reach out && put your hand on his but there’s something strangely intimate about that. so you hold back. his right hand flips the page, pretty moles still intact. you try your best not to yell at him for not taking himself more seriously.but it’s hard. and just like that the moment is forgotten. his hands are busy anyway.
i really think it’s prom night that sets it in stone for you. you’re dressed to impressand henry is on your arm. but you insist on taking pictures with your bestie. he’s herewith patricia, your mutual friend, and the night is so young. you look in the mirror anddouble check your backless dress, and beam. you look beautiful. he reaffirms that ashe steps behind you && you feel your cheeks burn. so when the picture is being taken&& his large palm is resting at the small of your back, something inside you changes.but you just smile and ignore how soft his fingers feel against your skin. && how badlyyou want to trace your fingers along the lines of his palm. the moment burns into you,just like his palm against your back. your hands are sweaty anyway.
tugging him along doesn’t count, because you let go normally once the destination isreached. but this has become the only way to curb the need to twine your small digitsalong his. snipets of his hands against your own and the comfort it brings, the solace you feelas you drag him to your heart’s content. but this time it’s not so positive. you’re pulling himaway from the most disgusting group of people you’ve laid your eyes on. you want to screamat him that the last thing that you are is his mother. that what you feel for him is love && somuch admiration and care. you want so badly what’s best for him and to see him succeed. you want so badly for him to be happy and see what he’s capable of. instead of gripping onto his fingers, your hand slaps across his face and that’s the last place you want your palm to beconnecting with. shit. he runs away. and you think to run after him and tug him back to you.but the moment is gone. your hand stings anyway.
it’s simple this time, now that you’ve graduated. yes, henry is gone. he is gone but that is not the reason your hand slides into charlie’s, curled up on the stairs of theschool. your fingers glide easily along his and your hands are dwarfed in comparisonto his but all you can focus on is his eyes. and the tears rolling down your cheeks. yourforehead rests against his and your lips make contact with the back of his hand. themoment is now, as you lean in to brush your nose against his. ‘i love you.’