The Wall of Winnipeg and Me

by Mariana Zapata

the road to accomplishing your goals isn’t a straight line; it looks more like a corn maze. You stopped, you went, you backed up, and took a few wrong turns along the way, but the important thing you had to remember was that there was an exit. Somewhere.

Hot guys weren’t going to make my dreams come true.

I hoped they both got syphilis.

Hahahaha

“Marry me.”

????

“What the hell happened to your wrist?”

...

“We’re partners. We’re a team.

“If someone messes with you, they’re going to mess with me, Van.

I’m not about to let somebody get away with hurting you. Ever. Do you understand me?”

I was so freaking making him dinner. Maybe even lunch too.

Hahaha

“You’re thanking me for defending you, Van. You shouldn’t have to thank me for something like that.”

I loved Halloween. Other than Christmas, it was my favorite holiday.

<3

“Scoot over.”

Yes sir

Life was all about choices. You chose what to make out of what you had.

“The only people in the world who can hurt you are those you let have that ability,

he leaned forward, forward, forward and pressed his mouth just to the side of my mouth.

!!!

“Touch my wife again and I’ll break every bone in your goddamn body.”

A man.

It was right then, in that instant, that I realized I might be a little in love with Aiden.

!!!

“Trust me, Van. Tell me. I won’t let you down.”

“I have time for you.”

<3

He kissed me.

!!!!

Aiden kissed me.

Finally!!!!!!!

Walking forward, in a faded-black hoodie I’d washed and folded countless times, was a man. A man I could have recognized even if he’d dyed his hair blond and worn a cassock. I’d recognize Aiden anywhere.

Aiden was here.

<3

“You came,”

<3

“No,” the familiar, deep voice answered unexpectedly, right before he dropped a metal chair into place right next to me. “She’s mine.”

I woke up with my hand in Aiden’s pants.

What a turn of events. Hahahah

I got you for longer, didn’t I?

“That’s my girl. That’s my fucking girl.”

“I missed you.”

“I missed you very much.”

“How do you not know that you mean the world to me? I haven’t made it clear enough?”