He told me he needed some space,
some time to think.
He said he was pretty sure he’d be back.
It was just going to take some time to sort things out.
“But what about us?”, I asked.
What about our baby?
What about our plans?
He just shrugged and looked away.
But the next time he looked me in the eye, I saw it in his face.
He was enjoying my confusion.
Why did he want to hurt me?
What had I done?
How long had he felt this way?
“Is there someone else?”, I asked.
He shrugged again,
and said he just needed some time.
Some time to sort things out.
I felt like I was strangling.
I think maybe it was worse for Ellen.
Her boyfriend didn’t want space.
He didn’t need any time to himself.
He told Ellen he loved her eyes.
He told her she made him feel special.
He told her it had never been this good before.
He told her he loved her.
And the whole time he was telling her those pretty things,
he was sleeping with the Colefield girl.
When Ellen found out,
she closed her eyes
and staggered back a little,
almost as if she had been struck in the forehead.
I think maybe Ellen had it worse.
But I’m not sure.