Page 121 of The Leaves In Autumn
“Okay smart ass. We’re just starting. Give it to me again.”
He gets a little closer and his lips remind me of it all. I would crawl through the lines or whatever it is, to get a taste. He begins again, annunciating each word separately.
“I…don’t. Is it I don’t?”
He nods.
“I don’t …I don’t want…to…be…a memory. I don’t want to be a memory?”
It sinks in. He pulls back. I can read his expressive face, and it is laying it out for me.
“You got it.”
My face says more.
“Being a memory doesn’t work for me, Barbra.”
“No?”
“I want more. That brings me to part two.”
This time he doesn’t come close to the camera. A slow, silent telling begins.
“I.”
“I.”
“Love.”
“Love.”
“You.”
There is no mistake. He said it.
“You love me?”
I am completely surprised by the thing I have known all along.
His eyes are twinkling with the tears gathering. But there’s a wide smile. A thrill overtakes my entire being. I kiss the screen. Over and over.
“I love you too, Aargon. I love you too!”
I laugh. And cry. He says what I’m thinking.
“I’ve never felt this way.”
“I haven’t either… I am so fucking happy right now!”
“I can’t wait to touch you!”
A wave of happiness rolls through my soul.
“Are you coming here? Say yes! Come and bewithme.”
“I’m coming, crybaby.”
My weeping raises to Def-Con ridiculous. He chuckles like he is charmed.
