this imploding heart

Exactly how it happened:

It's 5:45am and a sleepover day, which means that I've pulled the down comforter over my head so that he can turn the bathroom light on and off at will. In my head, I'm singing to myself: Trees swayin' in the summer breeze, showin off their silver leaves as we walk by and trying to remember what part of Rushmore has that song in it. I spidey-sense him before he jumps on the bed, all knees and elbows and bike helmet, so I pull my limbs out of the way in time.

"Sonya, wake up. Something tragic has happened."

I take the blanket off my head and squint at him against the light.

"What?"

"John Ritter died!"

It takes me a second to remember who John Ritter is (give me a break, it's early.) "The guy from Three's Company?"

"Yeah, and he's got that show with those daughters now. Just keeled over! Isn't that weird?"

"He's pretty young still. What happened?"

"I dunno. Go back to sleep."

So dont you know, that it hurts me so to say goodbye to you-oo-oo-oo. Wish you didn't have to go. Oh no no no.

And then I hear it from the other room.

"OH MAN! NO WAY!"

Again, spidey-sense. Retracting limbs. Pounce. He's on all fours, looking straight down at me.

"Sonya! You're not going to believe this!"

"mmmmm?"

"Johnny Cash died today too!"

This one actually makes me sit up in bed.

"Are you serious?"

"Dead serious."

"That's nuts, cake. Totally nuts."

"It's a bad day to be named John."

His helmet bumps against my forehead when he kisses me goodbye and his bike gloves are cold against my jaw.

So when the rain streaks across my window pane, I'll think of summer days again, and dream of you. and dream of you.

Posted by Sonya at September 12, 2003 08:51 AM