Icicles

 His trembling fingers touch my face, cold but desperate. I feel his heartbeat drum hard in his chest; I hold the warmth of his body close to mine. Goosebumps ripple along my arms as the wind blows through the open window and he pulls me closer to himself. His lips try and whisper words but they stop, they aren’t heard.

 If only I could freeze this moment right here, freeze the perfection of this feeling. This moment is like the icicles hanging off the gutters- it seems as though it could stay this way for forever, but when the sun comes up, I know the icicles will melt, and this time will be gone and on a plane to Afghanistan. Tears begin to stream down his face, mixing with mine, sliding down onto the cold sheets. His breath falls out like white fog on the black sky.

 “Don’t leave me, please.” he coughs, the words rough in his throat, his breaths ragged.

 “You’re the one leaving me, remember?” I try to smile, but our red-rimmed eyes object the attempted joke.

 “Right,” he sighs, his smile bittersweet and painful. I bring my fingertips to his face, laying my body on his, soaking in the warmth of his breath.

 “A whole year.” I say breathlessly, resting my head on his bare shoulders, running my hands across his collarbones.

 “It’ll be over before you know it.”

 “Doubt it.”

 “I’ll talk to you everyday, if I can.” he pulls my head up, drawing his fingertips over my lips and trying to smile.

 “It’s not the same.”

 “I have to do it, Tanner, I can’t change the fact I enlisted. You know I’d never be anywhere else-” he stops, both of us too exhausted to plead the case we already understand.

 I rest my head back on his chest, the slow rise and fall of his breathing not stopping my tears.

Author's Note

More from the novel... Comments/suggestions welcomed. Thanks for reading! :)

Reviews

[zainul]

I am very glad to read how you captivated your reader to stare at the icicle that carries priceless meaning.
I can't resist the temptation to quote the wonderful expression:
" If only I could freeze this moment right here, freeze the perfection of this feeling. This moment is like the icicles hanging off the gutters- it seems as though it could stay this way for forever, but when the sun comes up, I know the icicles will melt, and this time will be gone and on a plane to Afghanistan."

[K.]

Thank you. This is one of my favorites so it means a lot that you like it so much. Thank you again for reading and reviewing and sorry I'm so late to getting to this!

[zainul]

You are most welcome,dear friend.
Being late is very usual.So,don't worry.We are here to enjoy the works.

[ayosonolowo]

I must really say: you pen out a very, nice and heartfelt story, keep it up......

[K.]

Thank you so much, I really appreciate it. Sorry I am just now getting to this.

[SquinklaPsyOps]

It was very heartwarming.

Very compelling and interesting piece, well written with a strong, clear voice.

It is easy to read, the facts are presented clearly and concisely.

[K.]

Thank you so much for reading and reviewing! Sorry I'm just now responding to this.

[SquinklaPsyOps]

Use the positive waves to travel

[Craig2591]

A very convincing portrayal of sadness, fear and longing. Well written.

[K.]

Thank you again, Craig! I appreciate you always taking time out of your schedule to read and comment on my writing :)

[Wolfwind]

A heart wrenching scene! Yet, it offers up a glimpse of what kind of a story all these pieces might be a part of. The one thing that this scene doesn't allude to in any way, making it interesting, is that it doesn't specify if these two characters are both male or a male and a female. Either way, thought it really pulls the heart strings.

Great Ink! I look forward to more!
Aaron

[K.]

Thank you! It is part of the novel that I have written, and am working on rewriting! But to answer your question, it is a female and a male (even though they are both masculine names). Thanks for reading!