we sat by the steps and she listened to me talk. i rambled on about what had happened at the gathering just now and shared those jokes with her. she quietly listened, and laughed along with the jokes. after i was done, she spoke to me. something that had troubled her all these while, she needed to let it out. at that moment, all the grievances i had towards her melted. i never knew she ever felt that way, and it was for Us.

that night as she slept, i sat in front of the computer and thought about what she had said. my heart felt Empty, void of feelings. yet the underlying feeling of sadness was evident. my mind was entangled up with issues, yet i couldnt identify them.

moved down to the living room and switched on the lights. turned on the television and sat on the recliner with a book in my hand. i flipped the book to the first page and set it down on my lap. stared at the television and tears streamed down.