The Woman and the...

He loved her, and hoped that one day he could be in the house, sitting beside her.  It was all he wanted, yet was certain it would never happen.  His will was strong, and rooted in her tremendous beauty.  He changed with the seasons, but his love was steadfast.  Through unforgiving winters and scorching summers, he did what was expected of him.  It was all he knew.

Every time she left the house, she walked right past - and never gave a second look.  To see her was reward enough for all he did. Her hair was soft, and nestled itself into every breeze, and her eyes sparkled in the sunlight, like morning dew in a field of grass.  He lived for the moments she glanced in his direction, even if it wasn’t to look at him.

Just once, even if just for a moment, he wanted her to notice him, smile, and welcome him into her home the way she had to so many of her friends.

It was New Year’s Eve, and she hosted a party.  Most came in couples, and all enjoyed music, food, and wine in anticipation of the midnight celebration.  As the wine continued to flow, some eyes started to wander.  Winks and smiles were exchanged behind unsuspecting backs, and secret messages were being sent from phone to phone.  A long absence by her date prompted her to get up and find him.  She found him, in a back room of the house, kissing and caressing one of her house guests.  Filled with a bit of wine herself, she pried them from one another, and rushed them both out of her front door, hoping never to see either one of them again.  Sensing her embarrassment, and realizing the party could not recover, her friends quickly grabbed their things and left.

She walked off of her porch, leaned on him, and started to cry.  Her tears ran onto him, just as the clock hit midnight.  Suddenly, he had arms to hold her, and a head to rest on top of hers.

“Please don’t cry.”