I clutch you to me and mutter into your neck I hate saying goodbye. You pull back and tell me don’t be sad.
I fight the tears that instantly spring to my eyes like they were waiting for your cue. I’m not as good at goodbyes as you are. Sadness slams down on me and sometimes I even cry when leave-taking needs to happen. Here’s a solution: I never leave your side. Can’t we just do that? Or does this irrational, searing pain of separation only happen to me?
Until our next hello, and you walk out the door.
