Come Closer

by Sara Gran

I collapsed on the bed and started to sob. You see, the satiny voice told me, this is how much he cares. This is the huge love you were so proud of. The one you thought would last forever.

The battle was all mine, and I was quickly, obviously, losing.

I would scream and cry and beg and fight every way I could imagine, but she would always win. She was stronger, and so she always won.

“Why,” I asked her. “Why me?” “Why not you,” she answered. “Who would be better?”

“I’ll never leave you,” she tells me, and she jabs with her tongue. “I love you,” she tells me, “I’ll never leave you alone.” And that’s all I’ve ever wanted, really: someone to love me, and never leave me alone.