I know that unlike that night, tonight I won't kiss her. Or touch her. Or even see her up close. Tonight, I'll listen. And that'll be enough.

She's still beautiful. Not in an obvious Vanessa LeGrande or Byrn Shraeder kind of way. In a quiet way that's always been devastating to me.

In the calculus of feelings, you never really know how one person's absence will affect you more than another's.

Her hands were freezing, just like they always were, so I warmed them, just like I always did.

Once the options increase, settling on one becomes harder.

Sarcasm creates a chasm between yourself and others.

But it's a big ocean. It's an even bigger world. And maybe we've gotten as close as we're supposed to get.