By Freddy Roemer  forlorn.unicorn@paradise.net.nz
Date: 21 July 2000

Time to Heal

‘Have I done anything – to make you angry at me?’

‘No, not at all… I – I have been very stressed lately and I am getting really sick at the moment…’

He lowers his eyes.

She gestures half-drunkenly with her left hand.

‘Oh I have the flu as well at the moment… Had me flat on my back for a couple of days. I just really knocked back vitamins and all that so I feel lots better now.’

‘I still have essays to do…’

‘Haven’t you dropped off your drama essay today?’

‘No, I – I’ve got an extension until Monday…’

‘That’s good then… You’ll be sweet.’

She attempts a smile as the words get stuck in her throat. 

‘Are you sure you are not angry?’

‘Yes. I – I’ll see you soon?’

‘You’re not going to see me for the next four weeks – I am going overseas, remember?’

‘Ring me when you get back?’

He looks at her, directly into her eyes, a smile on his face that weakens her knees. For a moment, she is drifting somewhere between the urges to either cry or kiss him. Drifting back into the sweet oblivion she misses so much, the feeling of them – as one – alone in a vast universe of opportunities.
She smiles back.

‘If it’s alright for me to ring you…’

‘Yes. Ring me, okay?’

‘I will.’

She hesitates for a second, then turns, and walks away as something within her has shifted - she is healing.