Ghosts in the Glow

“Do you remember?”

“Remember what?”

“Us.”

Her words sat there, glowing on my screen piercing through me. I could feel my heart twisting and my eyes swelling as I reread her texts over and over and over again. I never knew how much I’d miss her until I didn’t have her in my life anymore. For years I’ve carried this guilt deep in my heart, never being able to forgive myself for being a terrible friend and ruining our friendship over some boy. So why was she texting me now? Why was she giving me the closure I couldn’t bring myself to give to her? I took a shaky breath and poured my entire heart and soul out, telling her how sorry I was. She replied, simply, “It’s okay.” That was it? I blinked and my room was dark and silent. My phone was blank, no message, no conversation, no her. But as I sat there, staring at my empty screen, a strange feeling settled over me. Maybe I didn’t need her forgiveness to let go. I was already finding my way, already learning how to forgive myself and grow as a person. 

My Baby Cousin

J-Crew, my baby cousin. He’s not normal, he’s different. During his birth, there were many complications, resulting in him having a tube in his head. He has special glasses, a special tutor, special nannies, and special classes. He doesn’t stay with his family, his mom thinks he is too much. I don’t blame her, he’s quite a handful. He was born with a twin sister, she died at birth. Her name was Monique, no doubt she’d be as strange as him. I sometimes wonder how he is, he barely comes around anymore. My baby cousin-–he is a special boy.