"I'll show you mine if you show me yours."
I said to you with my eyes.
But your gaze was turned away,
So only the side of your face got the message.

When you did finally tell me that first secret.
You seemed to heave something heavy off your shoulders
and throw it on the table for my inspection.
A corner of my pink lip twitched upwards
and I passed a hand over my shoulder to peel back the clothing
revealing a mark a similar burden left on me.

Thinking you would understand,
And the way you acted as if sharing yourself was a momentous occasion,
I let you in a little more.
And showed you the relics from those days that left their scars.
You turned each one over in your hand and passed them back to me.
I suddenly realized...I forgot to share that with others.
Now I shared memories with you I let no one else see.

Embarrassed, I threw a cloth back over my old, silent, pain.
And you put yours back under your shirt.
You are a quiet, guarded, sort I think I can trust you...
In addition, I think you can trust me.
Why?
A because friends keep secrets.