The October Music, Stanza 2, Verse 2 - Day 3

Why?
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            Darling, we could run away together. Get in the car – right now – without a plan, without a destination, without anything but you and me hope and excitement and we can drive until we run out of gas. We could start a new life somewhere, anywhere. We could be new people with a new relationship and new dreams. All our sins left in the past. Doesn’t that sound heavenly?

            No, it doesn’t matter the reason. Does there have to be one? Why can’t I just want to start again where nobody knows us? What’s so wrong with that? Darling, you’ve talked about moving for months now. You’ve said you want to start fresh, find new restaurants and stores to explore, and make new friends. You’ve talked about it at length and I’ve listened and I finally want to take the plunge.

            Oh. You meant without me. I see.

            Well, darling, it just so happens that I want to – need to – leave regardless. Never you mind the reason. We can go somewhere together and forge a path together. I know you just said you want to be alone but I just don’t want that. So, we’ll leave together and stay together. It’s simple, isn’t it? Elegant in its way. A sliver of familiarity in a new environment.

            That’s not what you want? I understand and I hear you. I acknowledge that you want to be done with me and I am absorbing that knowledge. Until I’m finished processing, though, we’re together and we’ll leave. Tonight! We will leave tonight. I’ll drive and you’ll snooze in the passenger seat and the music will play and all will be comfortable and exciting as we head into the unknown. It will be perfect, darling, despite your current protests.

            I’m not getting it? You’re breaking up with me and I need to accept it? That’s silly, darling. That’s not happening because you can’t leave. Not me, not anyone. You’re part of a whole now. You can’t leave the whole without ruining the entire thing. You and I, we’re like a set of lungs. We breathe each other and the loss of one becomes the loss of both. I don’t want to lose you and you don’t want to lose you either, do you?

            Keep your voice down. This isn’t productive. I am not holding you captive. I am not restraining you against your will. Those are signs of cruelty and I refuse to be cruel. I’m simply reminding you of the situation, of your entanglement. Don’t you worry. We’ll sort it all out when we get there. Stop – no, stop –

            Damn.
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            Darling, what have you done? You’ve gone and broken your neck in my hands. How silly. What a waste. We had a future together that you just couldn’t see. No matter!

            We will still get in the car and leave. Tonight! We will drive and I will drive and you will snooze in the trunk and all will be comfortable and exciting as we disappear.