You always loved the ocean.

The rhythmic, beating ebb of the waves always did bring a smile to your face.

And mine.

You’d stand on the sandy shore and face the water, hands in pockets and stare
out over the liquid horizon.

The sun would beat down, the rain would pour, winds would howl but you’d
always stand there….

I would join you, but you’d never look at me, just a small smirk that played on your
lips when i would walk up beside you.

You were content and peaceful and i would watch you and all that calmness would
flow into me.

We’d never say a word, the other too afraid that if we spoke, that stillness would
shatter and smash and flow into the water before us and be lost forever.

You did grasp my hand once though, it was so sudden, it made me gasp.

Was the illusion shattered?

I looked at you, no, it was still ok.

Your beautiful eyes still focused intently on the rippling water.

What were you looking for in its murky depths?

You’d squeeze my hand and lace your fingers through mine; your hands were always so cold.

I asked you once, when we used to sit on the big tree swing at the bottom of my garden, why you liked to watch the ocean and you replied:

“Because it never changes.” You said, looking away. “It might branch of into different parts and flow into unknown rivers but it’s always there, it’s still part of the same ocean i look out onto everyday. I can come by anytime and it’ll all still be there. I guess, in the same way, maybe that’s how i see life. We’re all part of the same big ocean, some people might move to different places or get married and begin their own little rivers but we’ll still be connected.”

A small smile played across your kind face.

I nodded; you always did have a beautiful way with words. I kissed your cheek that night, do you remember?

Neither of us spoke for long time after that. We sat on the swing in my garden with the honeysuckle and the grey winged moths and neither of us said a word.

I hope i didn’t hurt you.

The next day, you came to my house, rang the bell, and when i opened you stepped up and kissed me very gently and quickly on the mouth, then you left.

Without saying a word.

I wondered one rainy day if maybe we could be able to connect our own oceans some day. Although mine more resembled a murky puddle and yours a crashing wave, ready to engulf me if you would just let it.

I’d like to think that if the world was falling down, we could come here one last time and hold each other until the Earth melted and shattered.

But for now, i was content with standing by your side, watching the thing that you believed connected every fish in the sea, every star in the sky, every you, and every me.