in the woods.

catefrances

she stands silently amongst the trees. she listens to the wind rustle the leaves and every now and then a branch cracks underfoot. from what she does not know. there are deer in these woods. and wolves that feed off them. she smiles as she recalls one night hearing their howling. they'd been walking out that night and the thrill that ran through her was indescribable. she dared him to spend the night amongst the trees but he baulked.
she wonders what he is doing now. is he thinking of her? is his heart beating faster the closer he gets? they have so little time together that every minute is sacred to her. his words are measured and she knows it is to stop a promise escaping that he can not keep. as the full moon rises above the lake, she turns back towards the cabin. he will be here soon.

catefrances

since she came inside, the wind has whipped up. the young trees bend but the older ones stand proud. she wonders if she is doing the right thing. if what they are doing can be sustained. and if so for how long. she knows she has been calmer recently and she attributes that to his presence. this relationship isn't as intense as her previous one. and considering that he can't be with her as often as either of them would like that surprises her. she has her moments but they are few. she feels centred and she will not give that feeling up without a fight. she hears the trees brush against the cabin. the candle on the mantle flickers but remains alight. she walks through to the kitchen to close the window. he will be here soon.

catefrances

she hears the tyres of his car crunch on the dirt drive. she smiles and does all she can to stop herself from rushing outside and throwing herself at him. the front door opens and he is here. she enters the room wiping her hands dry on a dishcloth. he comes to her wrapping his arms around her. she knows something is wrong cause he holds her a little too long. she pushes away and looks at him. his whole body is screaming and she can hear it. she feels a weight and knows this is the time. he tells her he can not be with her. she breathes deeply. he can't leave his family. she asks him to go. just go. she knew she was fooling herself. she is surprised it took him so long to realise. he doesn't want to leave her like this. she tells him she needs him to go. now. if he stays she will beg him not to leave her. she will try to convince him that he is wrong. but she knows he is right. even when he is with her he won't be with her. his mind will be elsewhere and she will know it. there is nothing to say. she turns and retreats to the kitchen. she waits for him to leave. she hears the front door close. and he is gone.