She grasped my hand for

The first time. Tentatively,

Unsure if she feared my pulling away,

Or that I would stay.

In broad daylight, the scandal felt

More dangerous, heavier, truer

Than it had in my head.

Fears, love, pride all raced.

I think she felt it too- her voice starting

Awkward excuses that she knew

Didn’t ring quite true.

Just as quickly as we had been more,

We were once again two

Friends walking down the street.

**I’m not sure if this picture properly portrays the sticky, humid heat that I’m going for here. What do you think?

Jillian