Empty nothings, bittersweet, crowded my mouth.

I called up a dumb moment from our past, wincing, but she laughed.

She did the same.

We’re stalling for time. Does she hope I’ll say it? No, she’s not that naive. Neither one of us can, but its good to feel the empty silence where it would go.

Silence? How long have we been staring at each other? Nothing for it…

We share a barely not too long embrace, too short to accept what has come.

“Bye.”
“Bye.”

In protective unison we turn away and walk into our respective futures. I know she didn’t look back, didn’t watch me leave.

I didn’t either.