• I squeeze your hand tightly as we stand waiting for the bus. "I love you honey." I say as I give you a soft kiss on the cheek. "It's only for a short time I promise you. I will be back as soon as i possibly can and we will be in touch I promise!" I manage to get out between choked sobs. "But I don't want you to leave.." She trails off between a sobs. "Don't cry it only makes it harder Emma." I say as i rub her back gently while i hold her close to my body feeling her heat radiating against mine and with it. Soon enough my bus comes and we say our final sad goodbyes and assurances that we will talk as soon as i get off the bus, and to add to the dismal tone of our parting ways for a few short months. It started pouring down at an unreal pace. It disguised her tears that i knew were trickling down her face and landing in the puddle at her feet. I bite my lip as I wave to her and mouth i miss you already to her just before the bus pulls away. God how I miss her when she isn't near me.

    Hour one, it seems like forever since i talked to her. My heartaches, my stomach churns, and i just stare out the window thinking of her hoping she is doing the same. This bus ride seems to be going at a slugs' pace, I wish it would go faster so I could get to a pay phone and call my dear Emma. Please hold on for me Emma I pray silently.

    Hour Three, I still have the gut wrenching feeling inside of me that she is sitting in her room crying and I'm not there to help console her. I fight back the tears as I think about it. No use crying right now, I will be able to talk to her soon only a few more hours between me and my happiness.

    Yes, the bus finally reaches it's destination, I run for the nearest payphone and fumble with change as i try to make it slide into the slot. After i get the correct change in i punch in the number i know by heart. The phone rings, and rings, and rings, voicemail, at the sound of the recording i feel weighed down thinking that something might have happened to my sweet. But i shake it off and leave a long message for her to listen to when she gets back. I hope she calls me soon.

    Lieing in this empty apartment reminds me of how lonely i feel. It encroaches upon me, like the night and there is nothing i can do to stop it. The phone suddenly springs to life and i hurriedly pick it up and say hello. "Hey!" i hear over the other end, my heart nearly climbs out of my throat and lands on the nightstand next to the phone. It was Emma! "Did you get my message?" I ask her eagerly, "Yes i did, and i miss you too....i really miss you." She lets out a brief sob, and continues "I had to go do something today, that's why i missed your call." she finishes. "It's fine, all that matters is that you are here talking to me now. I think i almost went insane not being able to talk to you on the bus ride. Sorry my parents don't think a cell phone is a neccesity." I apologize to her. "Well that doesn't matter as long as you have a phone you are near." she said cheerfully. " i know, i just wish i could talk to you every time i get lonely, not just when i get home from working all day and i am drained." i said sullenly, "i love talking to you tired or not, you know that!" Emma said. "I am not lively conversation if i am though." I reply smiling to myself. " you don't have to be lively just enough so i can hear your voice." Emma retorts. "Oh i have to go! I love you and i will talk to you tomorrow!" Emma makes a fake kissing sound and hangs up just after i say goodbye to her. I lie back down on the bed and just think about her. I can't stop, neither do i want to.

    Week two. Has it really been two weeks? It seems like a thousand years, almost like fate is transpiring against me and Emma. Trying to keep us apart by making the days, hours, minutes, and even seconds drag on for what seems like an eternity. Or am i just making all this up? I don't know, all i know for certain is that i am missing her more and more every day that goes by. Please make this go faster I plead to the heavens, please.

    Week five. The past three weeks have been just a blur that passed by my eyes. Except when i have talked to Emma, i remember those perfectly. Again i find myself lieing in my bed just hoping and praying that Emma hasn't done anything to betray my love for her. Because i have kept myself to her, and it isn't like no one has basically thrown themselves at me at work. I just tell them i am spoken for and that usually deterrs them, but not always. One of my lady co-workers followed me home and tried to for me to cheat on Emma. I ended up pushing her out the door rougher than i meant too, and locking the door tightly so she couldn't get in. At least i hoped she couldn't. Going to bed with the same feeling i have been having since i left, just like someone took a knife and slit a hole in me and just keeps making it bigger and bigger. I sigh, rollover on to my side, and fall asleep dreaming of when i get home.

    Week Eight. I finally arived back home. I can't wait to see Emma! I missed her so much. I hope she is waiting for me when i get there. I think to my self with a creased brow that shows not to disturb my thoughts. One, two, three, four, five steps up to the door. I take them robotically. Grasp the cold brass knob in my hand, take a deep breath and open the door. "Emma?!" I shout into the house. No response. "Emma?" i shout again. Still nothing. I walk up to her room and open the door slowly. I gasp. "Emma?!" I say angrily. Then in a quieter voice i say "How could you?" I bite my bottom lip as i wait for an answer. "I got lonely..." She said quietly almost to herself. "I waited for you..Why didn't you do the same for me?" I ask half turning to walk out the door. "I-I...I don't know.." She looks down afraid to see the agony in my eyes. I turn around and storm out of the house. I run to my house, my room, my safeplace.