Last Light

by Claire Kent

“Will you teach me? To do better? I know I’m small, but I don’t want to feel helpless. Will you show me?”

Sometimes we gotta cry ’bout the smaller things because the big things are just too big.”

“I’m not crampy right now, but I’m still… Might get a little messy.” “What the hell do I care about that?”

It matters—even at the end of the world. Doing right by the people you love. I’ll hold on to him tonight. And I’ll let him go tomorrow.

But I’m tryin’ to tell you that you don’t have to fuck me to keep me. You have me, even if you never want me to touch you again.”

“Please, Layne. Please don’t say that. Please don’t ask it. Unless you really mean it. I mean really mean it. ’Cause I’m gonna take you serious. I’m gonna want more than just a good time with you. I’m gonna… never let go.”

I never knew I could want anythin’ as much as I wanted to kiss you.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” “Like what?” “You know.” He reaches over with one hand and rubs my cheek gently with his thumb. “Can’t help it. Love you too much. Sometimes it spills over. Specially when you laugh.