Tuesday befuddled Bernice with conflicted feelings that were just going to tear her apart until she worked them out. Technically, she was still engaged.
She had been in a bit of a daze since yesterday, but it wasn't until she saw the reflection of worried fingers running through her hair that she actually took the pause she needed. The offending digits were forced deep into her pocket. Her mind was a mess. She needed a drink, but somewhere else.
The boss honored her (rare) request for 15 minute's leave with a wave, and she let her feet carry her to the next little hole she passed with neon beer signs. Without looking the bartender in the eye, she rambled off her usual and put down exactly as much as she was willing to pay for it.
It felt good going down; nostalgic. Storied. She closed her eyes and culled her breaths into andante measures. One hand met the other and cradled a tarnished aluminum ring. Images and words resurfaced in seconds, combining to recreate her friend and lover in a vivid tapestry of memory and emotion.
His bright smiling face was forefront. Lesser images constructed a boy in developmental flux - at once looking up in wonder at one bright arcing light and holding her hand in a sweaty closet against his newfound hair. His voice was always warm, the feelings gay and trusting.
She loved him; this was never anything but true. Nor had that feeling ever faded.
Her eyes went open once again. She finished off her drink and felt the melty mix go down. Before she got up to leave, she looked down at the ring, and watched intently as pink skin came to light from underneath. She held this ring in some minor awe, so long had it been bound. After some time, Bernice thought to wear it on her necklace, where it could be carried on, binding nothing.
That love would never fade. Never. But it was just a memory.
She had been in a bit of a daze since yesterday, but it wasn't until she saw the reflection of worried fingers running through her hair that she actually took the pause she needed. The offending digits were forced deep into her pocket. Her mind was a mess. She needed a drink, but somewhere else.
The boss honored her (rare) request for 15 minute's leave with a wave, and she let her feet carry her to the next little hole she passed with neon beer signs. Without looking the bartender in the eye, she rambled off her usual and put down exactly as much as she was willing to pay for it.
It felt good going down; nostalgic. Storied. She closed her eyes and culled her breaths into andante measures. One hand met the other and cradled a tarnished aluminum ring. Images and words resurfaced in seconds, combining to recreate her friend and lover in a vivid tapestry of memory and emotion.
His bright smiling face was forefront. Lesser images constructed a boy in developmental flux - at once looking up in wonder at one bright arcing light and holding her hand in a sweaty closet against his newfound hair. His voice was always warm, the feelings gay and trusting.
She loved him; this was never anything but true. Nor had that feeling ever faded.
Her eyes went open once again. She finished off her drink and felt the melty mix go down. Before she got up to leave, she looked down at the ring, and watched intently as pink skin came to light from underneath. She held this ring in some minor awe, so long had it been bound. After some time, Bernice thought to wear it on her necklace, where it could be carried on, binding nothing.
That love would never fade. Never. But it was just a memory.
