It was hard for me to give up on the idea that we could be friends. Silly of me to give you a grace you were accustomed to, but never earned. It hurt to bear witness to the unbothered mask you wore and the steady, rehearsed bass in your voice. The silence littered with my bridges and branches you tossed aside. Later, right? Fortunately, I learned to stitch me back together before maxi pads had wings to glue them in place. The Universe gave up, too. Flavor stains washing out in the bleach of time. I never knew you and you never knew me. Ashes to ashes, strangers to strangers. I wish you well, but I wish me the best.
-Melissa Donley