IS IT SAFE TO LOOK AT THE MOON?

Life in the Green

She clung to his right arm as she limped, holding on to her cane with her right hand. She advanced inch by inch toward the field just ahead. She heard the voices and she turned to him.

"Did you hear that?"

"Yes, there must be a whole lot of them, celebrating the return of spring." He laughed, not realizing he dragged her.

"Stop." She breathed hard. "You're dragging me again."

"I'm sorry." He slowed down, and stopped a two steps ahead of her.

"You go on ahead. Don't worry about me."

"No, no, here, take my arm." He turned, and gripped her hand. He slowed to a pace with her.

They neared the festivities just then. The crowd was two-feet deep, there was a fence around the field perimeter. As they got there, he dropped her arm and jumped over the barrier. He joined the crowd without a backward look at her.

She looked awkwardly at the fence and decided it was impossible for her to jump it. She stood for a mere moment, and then turned around. She limped back to the bus stop, without a backward look.

She realized at that very moment she was a lost soul without her ID. He had asked for it a few days back, convincing her it was safe in his pocketbook as they travelled. He added it was safe for her to walk without a purse since she had the cane.

She stopped, and thought of calling him. She shook her head and continued her limp toward the bus stop. She had some cash in her jacket pocket, which she knew was enough for a ticket home.

She didn't think he'd miss her. She saw his face when they got to the field. He was excited and his face was all smiles. That was the scene she kept before her as she walked on.

Now she realized she was on her own. However, his words rang in her ears: "I shall never let you down, never leave you because I love you. I will be your protector as we grow old together."

It was a classic pretence. She felt betrayed. She knew then she was not going to believe him at all - no matter what sort of protestations he'd say to her. She sniffed and felt a pain on her left leg. She limped on to the bench at the bus stop. She sighed heavily as she pulled a tissue out of her pocket. She wiped away the tears that stung her.