we stand, 6 feet apart, staring at each other. it is cold, but we hardly notice. the stars are obscured by clouds tonight; the pavement is wet from the recent rain.

the streetlights and the neon from the store nearby bathes us in an almost ghostly light. for a few moments, there is nothing but the two of us, silent, our eyes locked.

it is as close as we have gotten to a fight, but we aren't really fighting, and i'm not angry with him, but with someone else. he mistakes my frustration at the other for anger at him. i want to reach out and pull him to me, but for just a moment, it seems as though we are suspended in time.

he reaches out and pulls me into his arms. i hug him very tightly, as though at any moment he might disappear.