Always and Only

“Always and Only” by Holly Sheidenberger

Scrolling through my phone… I freeze.

There she is, gazing deep into the soul I remember having.

They called me arrogant, narcissistic, shallow. But she knew better.

She saw me.

We were friends, best friends. She wanted more, but I wanted success.

I missed her when we drifted apart, but I knew there would be other girls. Plenty of fish in the sea.

Time passed and passed and passed. Now I am successful. Somewhat.

I have thought of her on certain days, when the sun is bright and we would have gone laughing to the park, so long ago.

Now this photo, suddenly haunting me. Her eyes seem to search me, challenge me, remind me of the life we could have had.

My proud façade conceals my private regret, the truth known only to myself.

There will always and only, ever be her.

The Dream

“The Dream” by Holly Sheidenberger

Bolt upright in bed he sat, sweating and panting. Looking left, he sighed gratefully when he saw that she was still next to him.

Remembering the cold look, the papers, the walk away, and the end. Divorce. It was a terrible dream.

He vowed, there in the dark, next to his sleeping wife, to change.

She still raged and cried, for mysterious reasons. But this time, he held her silently.

She still told stories about her day, but this time he listened and tried to care. They weren’t as boring as he had thought.

One day the ice melted and she smiled at him, just like she used to.

A week passed, a month, and a year. They liked each other again.

One morning on the table she left an envelope, with a sticker that said “Please Shred.”

Inside: Divorce papers dated one year ago. The day before The Dream.