Sea Turtles

A requiem for a relationship.

I remember first seeing the Caribbean at night. Millions of little fish swarming about my heels. A dark mass of sea turtles moving in the distance.

I remember the first time our eyes met. Your large, toned body. Your kind eyes that slanted backward and twinkled. The crinkles around them. I remember thinking, “He’s hot, but he’s out of my league.” So I didn’t think much about you.

I remember the way you looked at me across the dance floor. Like a hungry man looking forward to fine cuisine. You made a silent “whoo-hoo” with your lips and smiled. I remember smiling back because I didn’t know what else to do.

I remember your French. “Je vais tomber.” I answered, “Essaies de tomber sur quelque chose douce.” Your eyes pierced through me in the dim street light.

I remember our first kiss. Slow, lingering warmth. Every taste bud. I remember your hands gripping the nape of my neck, pressing, claiming me. The stars glinted above the wind in the palms. We were the only two people in a hushed, glowing world. I rested my cheek against your shoulder.

I remember when you told me I was too interesting for you. That your feelings were too strong. That I’d struck the chord you didn’t want heard.

I remember running down the beach. I remember the mass of black sea turtle moving beside me. Fear and an urge to survive. Despite you.

I remember our goodbye. I said all the right things. You seemed relieved. I remember smiling a forced smile. You gave me a long, slow look -- and then looked resolutely away.

I remember seeing your picture on Facebook. I hadn’t seen you for 18 years. Same crinkly blue eyes. Same sunny smile.

I remember your first message to me. “There is no way I could ever forget someone like you. And now, reading your profile, I can see that there was much more to you than I knew. So near and yet so far.”

I remember the months, talking to you, baring my soul. My empty inbox.

I remember your Life Event: “Kalihari Engagement.” You misspelled Kalahari. You had proposed to your perfect wife in the desert, under the stars.

I remember you dancing with her before a fairy-tale wedding pavilion. She was resting her cheek against your shoulder.

Reviews

[matrixmark]

A very well writtenpiece on times of yesteryear. I am sure we all look back at what could have been.

This was a great piece on years gone by.

Mark.

[Lorry]

Beautifully written memories and what could have been's. We all look back on them, but maybe that is what they are for, because if they had worked out, the memories would be so so different.
I like the empty inbox statement, very powerful. Great write.

[Sami Khalil]

The memories are strong and present till this day in your memory bank. The lovely times, the passions boiling up, the soft kisses, the sad goodbye...Bravo...................

[Samuel Dickens]

This is some very good writing, evoking strong images and emotion. These "ships passing in the night" kind of remembrances are nearly always exceedingly strong.