The Infinity Between Us

by N.S. Perkins

It’s easy to not realize how much you miss something when it’s been so long, you don’t even remember how it used to be.

He blinks. “I’ve always been willing to risk a lot of things for you.”

(and by “worked hard,” I mean only looked up the pros and cons of becoming a professional stripper while crying over assignments once or twice).

“So there’s an infinity of memories within me, and an infinity of memories within you. But the infinity between us? It’s even grander.”

Ever since that night, when there’s a thunderstorm during summer, he comes to my room and sleeps on the ground.

But right before I’m taken away, I vaguely hear his answer. “You. I think about you.”

“You’ve always been mine, V, and I’ve always been yours. We just didn’t realize it.”

“I would’ve made more of an effort for you.” “Always my knight in shining armor.”

“I know when you look at me, you see everything that went wrong, but when I look at you?” He licks his lips. “Violet, when I look at you, I still see the love of my life.”

Just thought you should know that if you ever find it in you to love this house—or me—again, we’ll be right here.”

“I know it’s stupid, and it wouldn’t have mattered if it was any other way, but there’s this caveman part of me that’s happy no other guy has ever touched you.”

“Led me to the most important person in my life.”

“They weren’t you, V. I didn’t realize it before, but once I was with them, I expected their hair to smell like your strawberry shampoo and their hugs to feel like yours and their laughter to sound like yours. I was looking for you in every girl I met.”

“But there’s no other you, Violet. You’re it for me.”

“Ever since you walked into this house, you had it set in your mind that I’d never be there for you.” His throat bobs. “There’s nothing I want more than to be your forever, but not at the cost of feeling your anger all my life.”

I don’t want my Will of summer. I want my Will of forever.

“Wouldn’t you want a person with such beautiful loyalty on your team?” Dad adds. “Because I know that’s what I’d want for my daughter.”

I would’ve taken a lifetime of pain to be able to laugh with her again, if only for a short moment, and my wish was answered.

“I’m sorry, baby, but you’ll need to say all that again. I’m still stuck on the ‘I love you’ part.”