Life then

"Why do you do that?"

"What?" She continued taking her ring on and off nervously. She looked down, noticing. "Oh. That. I don't know. Nervous habit I guess."

"Where did you get the ring?"

"Does it matter?"

"Perhaps-Was it his?"

"Yes." She looked down, her eyes glazing over. "He gave it to me just before he left. I've worn it ever since. At first I touched it only when I needed the extra comfort that he would have given me if he'd been here. Now I guess it's habit to touch it when I'm nervous or upset really without thinking. Keeps him with me no matter what. Keeps me hoping he's coimng back still."

"Do you think he's really coming back? It's been so long..." My voice trailed off not wanting to hurt her.

"I know. I know better than anyone how long it's been. It's not up to me though. He said he would come back for me. The most I can do is trust that he will." Her voice was soft, distant, rehearsed almost (as though she'd been saying this over and over in her mind since he'd left).

"What if he doesn't come back?"

"What do you mean?"

"You have to have thought that it is possible that he won't come back for you. Anything could happen. He could change his mind, or his circumstances could keep him from returning though he wants to. What then?"

"Life. Life will happen then. Just exactly as life has been happening since he left.

The train whistle blew and they began to move.