fortnight

"You and I," I said, and then I stopped. I had to get this right. I had to make it so that he let me go forever. "You and I were never anything." His face went slack. I saw the light die out in his eyes. I couldn't look at him anymore. I started walking again, and this time he didn't follow me. I didn't look back. Couldn't look back. If I saw his face again, I might not be able to leave. As I walked, I told myself, hold it, hold it, just a little longer. Only when I was sure he couldn't see me, only when the house was in sight again, that was when I let myself cry. I dropped down in the sand and cried for Conrad and then for me. I cried for what was never going to be.