I remember the way my fingers would cling onto yours when you would walk away. I hated saying goodbye but I didn’t want you to think that I relied on you too much.
I wanted for you to believe that I believed that things would be okay when forever ended. I knew what forever and always meant. I knew that it only meant until the end of our time. As in you and I. But I said it anyways because I wanted to believe that we did feel the same way.
I hoped that you knew that I would dig into my books just to remind myself of the way you laughed. I would go down the places we walked so I could get the scent of the air we both breathed. I did not want you to leave but you’re gone now. I wish I opened up to you the way I greedily took the pages of my journal apart with broken phrases and incomprehensible prose.
If I told you, maybe you would have stayed. But clearly, you would have left anyways. You were no writer and you were no reader, you were just a girl that I carelessly fell in love with.
So I posted a little while back about my upcoming photo project. The concept is recreating missed connections from craigslist. I am working with two other ladies from moore and it would be great if you could a) be our models or b) repost this so it could get out to a larger group other than just my followers. The assignment is due november 11 so we need people as soon as possible and must be in philadelphia area
3. Classmates, yeap, that is all.
Classmate, maybe that’s all we’ll ever be. Not even blockmates because you’re of a different course.
I don’t remember so well when I had started talking to you, all I know was that you had braces and you were cute and seemed friendly so I did and I was right, you even let me give you a nickname.
You didn’t know my name at first and I laughed at that, and at you, you were asking everyone what my name was and when someone finally did you were grinning so wide I wanted to pat on the back whoever gave my name.
I make it a point to make you smile everytime I see you, you have a great smile.
But you’re two months in of a relationship and I’m not a wrecker unlike someone I know. But that’s another story.
Your smile is great, I wish in your eyes I am, too. But no matter what, let’s stay friends, yes?
xo, m.
I fell in love on the 6 train this morning.
Here I was on my regular commute. I got off the B at Broadway-Lafayette. Went upstairs to the Bleeker stop to catch the uptown 6. Like many I have my commute down to a t, I know exactly where on the platform to stand for the exit at my final stop. It comes with taking the same route constantly. So I get on the 6, and walking through the car, my eyes connected with the gentleman and as I passed him, I saw a life that could? happen. I saw hugs and kisses, laughter, I saw silence, I saw an alternate future. I was magic. As I stood by the door our eyes connected multiple times. And as we pulled into 33rd Street, he stood up by the door and looked over once more, and stepped out.
I also may just be crazy.
Missed Connections.
He’d been sitting at that café for over an hour now, reading a book in solitude. His eyes were fixated on the words before him, but his mind refused to assign any meaning to them. He looked out the window.
Why are you so afraid of letting people in?
She was on the phone, asking where she was supposed to meet everyone tonight. She heard the voice on the other end of the line, but couldn’t focus on what it was saying. She walked past, looking in.
Why are you so afraid of being alone?
Their eyes met for a moment. In those brief seconds, they pictured a myriad of futures together. Ones where he allowed her into his thoughts, and trusted she’d respect the way he worked. Ones where she didn’t have to be surrounded by many because she was loved by one. Ones where they completed each other.
But they continued on with their lives. He returned to his book, and promised himself he’d finally finish this page. She returned to her call with a “sorry, what was that?”, blaming her phone’s weak signal.
After all, it probably meant nothing.
Whole Foods Missed Connection
(If you know this girl please send her this message. I must find her.)
Craig’s List / Missed Connections
September 21, 2011
Girl at the Whole Foods on Fairfax x 3rd
We both reached for the salt & vinegar kale chips at the same time. We caught eyes over your square glasses and I almost spilled my kombucha. You looked impossibly stunning in your Anthropologie skirt coupled with your “I spend 2 hours every morning getting ready trying to not look like I spend 2 hours every morning getting ready” off the shoulder sweater from American Apparel. I was too shy to speak to you so I wrote you this song. It’s called “Whole Foods Buffet”.
Girl I treat you real fine.
Like that $70 bottle of Chablis Bleu Wine.
I wanna take you on a trip around the world to the Whole Foods buffet.
Bring your passport, Toms, and get ready to par-tay.
I’m gonna take you on a flight to flavor town.
The Whole Foods buffet is where this shit is going down.
You know you want some chicken vindaloo.
What? Why not? Momma didn’t raise no foo.
Sushi, enchiladas, and spaghetti man.
This box is gettin heavy, this ish is getting out of hand.
Holy fuck I almost forgot, you can top this shit with gravy.
All this yummy make you want a baby?
You can slowly brush his hair while I feed him puree organic gluten-free carrots regurgitated by a free-range mountain rabbit.
My wallet is thin, so let’s not make this place a habit.
But mon petit chou I digress.
So take my hand and join me in “10 items or less”
You better liquidate your 401k.
For the flavor explosion called the Whole Foods buffet.
So let’s get our grub on girl and get to bed.
With this red rubber band, I thee wed.
-Fin-
P.S. Wink wink. Flirty face. Call me girl.
[Original Monday / Wednesday / Friday free prose by Chris Backley. Keep up with me on Twitter and Facebook and comment / share below.]
[Photo: The Whole Foods buffet in Glendale, CA]
