I Fell in Love with Hope - Lancali

“Do you remember the night in the garden that we stole a race? You
asked me what I thought of life.” I want to tell her that what I have
has never felt like a life. But I also want to tell her that if this is living,
then a life with her is all I want.
“I have to tell you something, Hikari,” I say. “About myself.”
Hikari blinks, waiting for me to speak, but somehow my words lose
their shape before I can find them. I stare at her, longingly. Her
affection is measured in teasing glances, little smirks, gifts only we
know the meaning of, and nights peering over books. I cannot find
the strength to squander all that.
Not yet.
“There’s a dream in your eyes, my Yorick,” she says, and I decide I
will tell her the truth later. The now does not need renditions of the
past and the future does not need foretelling.
We have time.
I take the hand always so keen on exploring and kiss Hikari’s
knuckles, the heel of her palm, her wrist, and all the little scars
healing above.
“I dream of this life,” I whisper. “Us. Together. For all tomorrows to
come.”
Hikari kisses me, pulling me down to the bed of the truck. I kiss her
back, my arms on either side of her head. As her promise went on
that little piece of
torn paper, she says, between our affections, “Then all my
tomorrows are yours.”
—
I don’t wake to the sun.