Ricochet

There was a plate of olives and a burrata pizza between us.

We were at Bestia again.

We had our first date there, but that was long ago.

It was so loud in there.

Why was that?

It seemed by design.

Perhaps it was to contain squishy and delicate feelings,

These things that might challenge the food.

I hadn’t seen her for a few months,

And even then, that was a reunion after more than a year.

Before that, we were in love and edging each other towards destruction.

Drugs.

We talked like old friends,

Which is its own sort of fresh hell.

I still loved her and would have followed her home and lie in her bed forever.

I kept responding to everything she said with love and praise.

That beautiful face just a pizza’s width away from my own.

We hugged goodbye as her car was delivered by the valet.

I love you. I love you too.

Sometimes we love someone so much that we confuse

Our own love,

Ricocheting off of them

As them loving us.