i met love in the 4th grade. he was a transfer student and he didn't speak much. love had a little sister who would check on him during lunch breaks. love smiled when we played games after school with our friends. love gave the best hugs. love left at the end of the year without a goodbye only to reenter 7 years later with the same boyish smile, carefree attitude and a confession that created a small room in my heart complete with an armchair, afghan and a small ottoman. love lit up my world with his words, his smile and his spirit. love took me back to a time of innocence and trust. when love left again, he didn't tell me he was moving out. love set fire to the room, the memories, and all the promises love made. love gave me reason not to trust anyone for a while as love was already months into an affair with his new love.