Another You
Two.
The clouds in the sky were dark; it was probably going to rain. I walked hurriedly along the about empty sidewalk, my hood pulled over my head. I had my hands in fists, balled up in the pocket of my hoodie.
Drop by drop, rain started to fall, and I immediately regretted wearing heels out today. I grumpily marched along the sidewalk, tucking my head down as to not get my face wet.
A car horn made me jump and look up, scowling in the direction of the sound. My eyes scoured the road, until a large hand started waving at me from a black BMW. The man stuck his face out of the window a ways, and immediately I recognized him.
"Austin?" I asked as I quickly approached the car. He smiled at me and I found myself staring at him.
"Get in. I'll give you a ride," he said. Without protest, I rounded his car and pulled the passenger door open, slipping inside. I shut the door with a sigh, and I pulled the seat belt on.
"How are you?" Austin asked. I shrugged.
"Not great," I replied, "what about you?"
"I've been okay. You know... I knew him. We were pretty good friends in high school, and when I heard he passed, I had to go to the funeral and show my respects to a man who died for our country," Austin said. This had me wiping under my eyes with the sleeve of my hoodie.
"He never mentioned you," I said through my tears. Austin nodded and pulled away from the curb.
"The day he met you, he was so fuckin' ecstatic," Austin said. I smiled, but bit my lip to keep myself from crying any harder.
"I just really miss him, y'know?" I said. Austin nodded.
"Yeah I do," he said, making me wonder if he actually did know, or if he was just trying to make me feel better.
--
We pulled up in front of my place, and before I could get out of the car, Austin stopped me.
"It does get better," he said. I looked over at him and raised my eyebrows.
"Does it?" I asked hopefully. Austin gave me a gentle nod.
"You're never truly going to get over it, but one day you'll take that ring off, and everything will get better. Piece by piece. Just give it some time," Austin assured me.
Just give it some time.
Notes
Hello :)
