Katherine
17
The After-Thought
"May our love never wilt he said"
handing her a cream colored rose that smelled of
musty gym shorts
with an overly charismatic wink
"Matt…"
"Matthew"
He clumsily corrected himself
Is the name
A laugh just a little too loud escaped from her lips
Before snapping her trident gum
She looked at him straight in the eyes as she uttered
"My name is Grace"
I put the flower in vodka and left it on my window sill
He invited her to the boardwalk
She swaggered letting her hips sway with the sea breeze
His black converse made a rhythmic pitter-patter as he jogged to keep up with her
Later he won her stuffed animal that looked like all the rest
I gave it to my dog
On their third date her took her to the only place he was happy after his mom died
It was a hill on an abandoned beach
Where the sun’s golden light was last to be swallowed before it dipped behind the moon
She didn’t like the mosquitos
I go back there all the time
On her birthday he made reservations at La Sun de Blu
She ordered seafood and talked about the weather
His stench created by stress and anxiety irked her
She didn’t like the way he nervously kissed her at the end of the night
I ate the left overs in front of the TV at 2 in the morning
For their one-month anniversary he wrapped a mix tape in gold wrapping paper
Attached was his heart and a handmade card
She left him cologne by his door
And a hallmark card with stolen words and copyrighted love
I only listen to the CD when it rains
He came to her house with chocolates and a guitar
The beginnings of a love song left his lips
She sauntered to the balcony in a daze
Behind her followed a boy wearing only checkered boxers
I wish he had said something
Summer reading books were finally opened
Their I love you’s were replaced with
I will miss you
That each longingly stared at the sand while murmuring
And to the reader
You may wonder
Who am I?
And to that I say…
I am the sister
I am the best friend
I am the after-thought
That loves Matt
The one who never says anything
But whose heart was pierced with every kiss that touched her lips
Because I could have been more than just
Another phony love story
I could have been a 2 am phone call when insomnia plagued you
Or a 3 pm I didn’t make varsity
The 10:30 pm I don’t understand chemistry and I have a huge test tomorrow
Or even the 11:11 I really miss you with tears dying your cheeks a light crimson
But instead I am the girl
Who drowned your love in vodka
And watched it
Slowly wilt
