Utter Shit

Where were you all this time? she said. Where have you been?

I guess far away.

Yes you were. Too far away.

They sat in silence.

You know you frightened me a little, she said. At the beginning.

No.

You did.

He smiled at that.

You looked as if you didn’t need anyone, she said.

But those are the ones who need the most, he said. Don’t you know that?

I do now, she said. Too late.

Never too late to know something, he said.

Maybe not, she said. But too late to do any good.

* * *

I never finished the book.  But I have kept it for that first page.