Pieces

The first message was surprising

We soon started talking

That wasn't enough so you started asking

I played coy and shot back sarcastic remarks

That wasn't enough so you started telling

I didn't have an answer but you had one for me

Talking turned into asking, to telling, to yelling, to screaming, to pleading, to saying no

but then it was over

As I sat trying to pick up the pieces of a puzzle missing a piece

I found the piece along with your sweet words shoved in your back pocket as you walked out the door

For months I prepared myself for the day you'd come back

I practiced the things I'd say, finally being able to say no

I painted a new piece and made it fit for the day your message would show up in my phone

But it never did.