how it is

what if you can do anything in this moment?" "this," she points to the walls of his room populated with post-its, "here, now, your life within these walls. what would you do?" he glances at her sideways. she knows what he's always wanted to do. silence. "i haven't been quiet like this for a long, long time," he says. she reaches out for his hands. they are soft in hers. familiar hands that weaved stories a long time ago in the hall of the college of arts and sciences. "you know, you can ask me anything." "i've always wondered what happened between us. but it's ok you don't have to answer that," he shifts to face her, "that's not why you are here."

"i always run away. i'm a creep-freak like that," she pauses and stares at one of the little yellow notes. "you have to be reminded to either swallow or chew your pills?" she laughs.

"ok, you find that amusing," he says smiling.

"but really, thank you for loving a creep-freak like me," she embraces him "and now i must go leave again."

"i know. i'll walk with you where you can get a ride," and he gives her a faint smile.