Late that night as he lay in her bed still shivering under a pile of blankets even after he’d indulged in a hot shower, she pulled out her guitar and began to sing the song she’d composed for him over the past three weeks. She might have successfully fled from him for twenty-one days, but she hadn’t been able to outrun her feelings for him or her sentiments concerning him. Not for one moment. The words had bubbled up in a song; the emotion had surfaced as a haunting melody.
She plucked the strings of her guitar softly. She didn’t want to disturb her neighbors. Her voice came out in a rough whisper that sent a shiver up his spine. He knew it wasn’t an effect of the rain but of her raspy tones.
“You don’t leave me lonely
In the middle of the night.
Your song’s still with me.
It’s a brightly shining light.
“You don’t leave me wanting
In the middle of the day.
Your words still wrap around me
In the sweetest of your ways.
“You don’t leave me hungry
When I stand upon your shores.
I know they’re always open,
Guarding your heart, these wide doors.
“You don’t leave me weeping
As I lie upon my floor.
Your arms embrace me,
Always bring me back for more.”
She sighed as she began to play a beautiful interlude. He could feel that rush of restless air in his own soul. Why were his eyes filling with tears? He knew why. All those countless hours he’d been in agony thinking of her, she had been dreaming of him too. She had also been reminiscing over their history. Recalling the forty lovely days they’d spent basking in each other’s company. He meant as much to her as she did to him. Now he knew it for certain. She’d never be able to hide from him again.
Her halting, husky voice caressed his ears.
“You’re still with me
When darkness closes in.
You’re still with me
When my heart is giving in.
You’re still with me
In the middle of the fight.
You’re still with me
When I’m lost in the night.
“You’re always with me.
You’re always holding me.
You’re always with me.
Always emboldening me.
“You’re always with me.
You’re always keeping me.
You’re always with me.
You’re always seeking me.
“You’re always with me;
You’re always lifting me.
You’re always with me;
You’re always gifting me.
“You’re still with me.
Yes, you’re still with me.
You’re still with me.
Yes, you’re still with me.”
She had echoed his own thoughts.
I’m still with you.
Could she really read his mind? Or was it just the melding of their hearts that had occurred over six glorious weeks? Before she had broken up with him.
She still hadn’t explained that.
