Reflections

            We stand in front of the mirror. Tears track down my cheeks. You’re behind me, holding me. “You see that woman in the mirror?” you ask me. I nod my head. “You see how pretty she is?” I nod my head again. I’ll admit I’m pretty, but only that. Nothing more. “You see how beautiful?” I shake my head. You sigh.

            “You’ll never be able to convince me that I’m beautiful.” I say. You close your eyes and breathe deeply.

            “That’s not the point today, baby.” You say. You run your hands down my arms and to my wrists. Then, you move them over my hips and then my legs. “You really think you could cut yourself, and I wouldn’t notice? I revel in your beauty. I love every inch of your skin.” You place a kiss on my cheek. “You’re too beautiful for this kind of torture, baby.” You say. I sigh. I turn away from the mirror. Away from my ugly reflection.

            “You’re reflection is not ugly.” You say as if you can read my thoughts. I wrap my arms around you and cry into your chest. I feel you shake your head as you wrap your arms around me. You tell me to breathe deeply, and I do. You rub my back calming me. I close my eyes and let you carry me to our bedroom. You lay me in our bed. You crawl in behind me and wrap yourself around me, holding me tight. You lightly kiss my head and cheek. “I love your reflection.” You say. “I love you.”