The sun was fading
Our hands were dirty
Caked with mud from stones we’d been digging
We were only 16
So young and new at this strange game we been thrust into
Touching hands was like igniting flames
Soft, quick kisses became a dangerous game
And we both wanted to move a step farther
You had dirt across your cheek
And you were so much darker from the summer sun
I pulled you from the confines of your abyss
To soak up some light and love with me
You curled your arms around me
Pressed kisses to my head
I felt safe beside you
Like I never have
Mom said that we were young
That you would grow and walk away
Because she’s bitter towards all men
And thinks I should be too
Why shouldn’t she be?
After years of torment with every man she’s been with
But then again, she’s temperamental
I’m pretty easy going for a girl who has almost nothing left to lose
You know my secret with Bill
I told you about all those wretched years
I almost gave up
Searching for some kind of decent human
Because I almost thought all men were the same
But I found you different
You spoke to me from a different level
Never flirted
Never hurt me
Never raised your fist in anger
It’s been more than 6 months now
And I’ve never been happier
Maybe my mom was wrong
Maybe there is life after pain
Or maybe the reason I ever thought this way at all was because of her
After all, Bill had been her boyfriend
And she had all but thrown me to the wolves with him
He’s gone now
Maybe in jail
Maybe dead
Of course I always hope it was that last one
Dad says I shouldn’t trust you
He thinks that you’ll betray me
Because I’m different
He thinks you’ll run away
I told him that I trusted you
He asked me what you did to even earn that
And I told him that you were kind to me when no one else ever had been
My little brother doesn’t like you at all
But that’s to be expected
After all
He doesn’t like me
So why would he like anyone I like?
Even when they’re so much like him?
I wanted to clear that dirt from your cheek
And laugh at the sound you make when I touch your face
I did, but you didn’t make that sound
Simply captured my hand beneath yours
And captured my lips
I didn’t know what to say
You’d never kissed me first before
And the sun melted softly behind all our trees
And the frogs sang their summer song…
But I was free…