Snapshot

by Kay Cove

“What’s on your mind?” “I feel really close to Dottie right now.” She picks up the picture she set beside her, then scoots closer to my side. I wrap my arm around her shoulder, and she cuddles in next to me. “We both sat here, pregnant…in love.” She hands me the Polaroid. “You can’t know she was pregnant in this picture.” “Yes, I can. See the way he’s looking at her? Like it hurts… I bet you this was the night they said goodbye. They must’ve taken a picture to mark a memory. She was pregnant and walking away from the love of her life. And it broke him to let them go.” I stare at the picture, trying to make sense of the situation. “If they were that in love, he shouldn’t have let her go. He should’ve fought harder to make something of himself and take care of his family.” Lennox turns down her lips and shakes her head. “I guess that’s one way to look at it. You were born into privilege. But when you have nothing and your family’s wellbeing is at stake…that is love. Wanting what’s best for them even if that means saying goodbye.” I put my hand over Lennox’s stomach. “That’s not my kind of love. There’s no goodbye for us, Len. You’re stuck with me forever.” I wink. “Make your peace with it.”