Work

She wanted me to break it, all the work I’ve put my time in to. My heart shattered to a million pieces, I wiped the sweat off my brow, leaving trails of wet paint from my hand that remained.

“I’m not going to.” I spoke with struggle.

She swung her hand back, forcefully bringing it down to my face, leaving a red mark.

“I know it isn’t me, Elliott. She’s long gone, and dead!”

Tears fell from my eyes, I couldn’t bear to hear those words. I’ve lived a life where she’s never gone. The bed isn’t empty, I hear the sweetest sounds of her voice as she sings me to sleep.

I wake up, her arms are no longer as she’s around me.

“She never did, she’s alive and well.”

I know, in another universe, she is.

And never died in the fire.