He stumbles down the dirt path,
Looking back.
A little too much to drink,
Too many thoughts,
To think.

His eyes meet mine,
And shine.

But it's not quite right.

He stumbles through the field and weeds,
He falls to lean in and,
Kiss me.

"I needed you. And you're here.
Like magic."

Smile.
Nervous,
My mind wonders back.

The fire burns my face,
And I remember.
It was late December.

The look in his eye,
Too familiar.
What will happen,
To me tonight?

Pacing, anxious.
How does this much,
Tend to change him?
"No more,"
He admits.

Strange words,
To cross a man's lips.

I waited.
For insults and violence.
I waited for bruises.
I waited for the moment,
He ruins me,
Clueless.

But.

He touched my face,
And I wasn't afraid.
I still loved the way,
He said my name.

This isn't December.
This isn't the past.
This is a love that is going to last.

I hold his hand to,
Stabilize.
And we laugh.

"Hi, beautiful."
*"Hi, baby."