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Description
          It feels like so long ago, like a memory from a dream.  I was so young, we were so young. From the moment we met, though we did not know it, we were each other's.  Our hearts were bound together in that instant, that shy little smile.  We were merely children then, far too young to know what love truly was.  But still we became entwined.  Each breath I know now I have taken for him.  Each gentle beat of his heart has been for me.  It is like a foggy, warm and sweet dream.  It is a dream, and I would gladly sleep forever if it meant I would in his arms.  We were two parts of one.  And for the rest of my life, I will always remember what it felt like that day when our eyes first met.  That day, the day I fell in love.
         How old were we in that moment?  It couldn't have been more than ten. It was so innocent then.  Not yet at the cusp of adolescence, still unaware of ourselves.  Back then all I wanted do was play and maybe, if I was lucky, make a new friend.  Little did I know how defining that little trip would be for me for the rest of my existence.  At the time though, it was a simple trip to the ice machine.
          I was in a hotel room at the Marriott in Pensacola Florida.  My parents were at a convention there for my father's work.  They were there dancing, and I was in our room alone.  It was fun, being alone in a hotel room.  I jumped on the bed without being scolded, and could watch any show on the television that I wanted.  And there was the ice.  I love hotels' complementary amenities.  Shower caps, little soaps, and free ice from a machine. I've always loved to chew ice, so cold and refreshing, and as luck would have it, our room was right next to the machine.
          Looking back, I don't think we ever actually got the ice.  We both went there to get it, you came out of your room at the same time I came out of mine both with little buckets in toe but after we met it was forgotten. It was sweet. I think we each just said hi and what our names were. That was all we really needed before I invited you to play games with me.
          Was it a racing game or a fighting one? Was it on a Play station or Nintendo? I can't even remember. All I can see is the smile on your face. All I can hear is our laughter. Did it last an hour or several? I don't know. I know my parents were, and understandably so, surprised when they returned from the party to find the two of us quietly sleeping on the bed, game controllers inches from our hands. Your mom and dad were less than pleased if I recall correctly. Grounded for two weeks was it? You served your time upon returning to your home. But for that time, the two of us were friends. That convention lasted a week. Seven days we frolicked in childish frivolity. Our parents had gotten to know each other by then so it wasn't too bad, they didn't mind us spending all our time together.
It was bliss. And when the week was up, we parted ways.
          Then Two years past. I hate to admit but you had fallen to the back of my mind in that time, like a fond memory. Imagine my surprise upon seeing you again. Or rather, I have to imagine your surprise upon seeing me, you did spy me first as I remember. Same place, Pensacola Beach Florida, only this time on the actual beach. You were wearing black swim trunks with a white design on the right leg. They were loose on you, didn't quite fit right. They almost fell down when you tackled me.
          Two years from ten to twelve. So much changes in that brief span of time. We had each grown a foot or so and lost our baby fat. I don't even think I looked very much like the boy you met in that hotel. But still you recognized me from across the beach. Maybe it was my hair. These copper curls are hard to forget I suppose. In any case, you found me again.
          It was a wonderful feeling, remembering you and our time together. One never really does forget old friends or the bonds they have. Years can pass with no contact, but with a simple chance encounter they can be rekindled just as strong as before.
          Your family was vacationing just a few housed down from mine, a wonderful coincidence. This time our time together was two weeks. You, me, and the ocean. Running races on the sand, searching for the best shells in the shoals, or just laying down and enjoying the warm sun beading down on us as we felt the cool sands on our backs. I hardly saw my parents on that trip. It was all with you. It was always all for you.
          I think it was then, though we did not see it fully at the time, that our mutual attraction began. We were not children anymore, but still we did not fully know ourselves. I knew I was different than the others but not how. Looking back it's pretty clear to me now that I was just discovering my sexuality for what it was. I had no idea you were going through the same thing. I just knew that I liked seeing you happy, that your smile meant the world to me, and that our time together could last the rest of our lives and still not be enough.
          I did not know it, but it was then that I truly began to love you. And you to love me. I only wish we had let each other know sooner.  Then when we had to part ways yet again we might have stayed closer in ways other than in our hearts.
          Our second brief interlude was twice as long as the first, but so was the ensuing absence. Our third meeting, we were sixteen, in that same city. That place will always be special to me. It is our city.  We had stayed in touch off and on thanks to social networking sites, though it wasn't the same. I know in that time our lives changed quite a bit, or at least yours did. It was hard, your parents' devoice. I know you don't like to talk about it. It hurt you. And the move didn't make things much easier either. My life was stable and boring by comparison. But that didn't' really matter. What mattered is that by a stroke of luck we were once again both in our city.
          Your dad was there on business, and my mom and I were just passing through. But for some reason that's when you chose to text me for the first time. And as before, all those feeling and memories came rushing back, this time with something new. We did know ourselves by then. And seeing your face again in my mind's eye I wanted nothing more than to see you again.
          I got in so much trouble for that. Mom said we didn't have time that night, but I couldn't take that for an answer. So I took the car after she went to bed. We had had a long day getting there, and dad would have an even longer one the next day, but I didn't care I had to see you. And I soon found out that you felt the same. I'll never forget that message you sent to me. For as long as I live that one little sentence will always be with me.
          "Return to the place where we first met."
          I'll admit that I was as nervous about seeing you again as I was excited. I wasn't very good at driving then, but I wasn't going to let that stand in the way. I took my time, and damn near died running a red light by mistake, but I got there. And who did I see leaning against an old ice machine upon my arrival? He had slightly unkempt black hair that nearly went to his shoulders, a cocky grin on his face, and the most beautiful dark brown doe eyes I had ever seen. I saw the love of my life there, when I saw you.
          It was like no time had passed since we had seen each other, as if the four years had only been a brief pause like I had taken a short nap. You knew it too that night. We caught up on each other's lives, revisited old experiences, and really got the know one another. And we smiled through our the whole thing. And then…the beach. The moon wasn't quite full that night, but it still looked beautiful reflected on the water and illuminating the white clean sand on the beach. We walked up and down that beach in our jeans and tee-shirts, and bear feet. I can't remember what we did with our shoes. That part of the memory got pushed to the side I suppose by the momentous event that followed. The first time we kissed.
          It was so random. We had been talking nonstop before, but then we sat down to look at the the night sky. There was a pause, a small space of silence when we each just took in the moment. And then you quickly leaned over and kissed me. I never saw it coming. It was like time itself had stood still, and all the world was gone save for us, the sound of the ocean embracing the shore, and the light of the moon. It was over as quickly as it had started. You were so embarrassed. It was cute, seeing you vulnerable like that. You are always so strong, so sure of yourself, but after that first kiss you were fragile and unsure.
          You apologized and got up to leave, but I grabbed your hand, and I pulled you back. For the rest of that glorious night we held each other, our arms and legs intertwined, kissing each other every now and then so gently, until we fell asleep.
          The sunrise woke us up. I awoke first and got to enjoy the sight of your low and heavy breathing until you too were awake. Then another kiss before you said good morning. And it was a good morning, maybe the best in my life, the morning after finding your true love. The rest of the day was pretty terrible though. My parents ripped me a new one for taking the car and staying our all night, and I know your mother didn't go any easier on you. But the month grounding I suffered was completely worth it. Because I had you. And you had me.

         And now, here we are. We stayed together despite the distance, coming together once a year for two weeks. We stayed together for these last two years even after your father disowned you for being who you are.  We're at the same college, you to pursue your music and me my writing, but really to be together always. Finally our lives were in sink. I could see you every day instead of once a year. And you could finally have some stability, because I will always be here for you. Life was heaven. And I could not have asked for anything more.
         But now, all I want is for you to wake up. Please, oh god please, wake up. Wake up so I can see your smile once more…I love you so much…please, just wake up…don't leave me ….please...
…….

          I must have fallen asleep, surprised the nurse didn't make me leave last night… What the-the world stands still again, our lips together once more….
          "Good morning."

Description
          It feels like so long ago, like a memory from a dream.  I was so young, we were so young. From the moment we met, though we did not know it, we were each other's.  Our hearts were bound together in that instant, that shy little smile.  We were merely children then, far too young to know what love truly was.  But still we became entwined.  Each breath I know now I have taken for him.  Each gentle beat of his heart has been for me.  It is like a foggy, warm and sweet dream.  It is a dream, and I would gladly sleep forever if it meant I would in his arms.  We were two parts of one.  And for the rest of my life, I will always remember what it felt like that day when our eyes first met.  That day, the day I fell in love.
         How old were we in that moment?  It couldn't have been more than ten. It was so innocent then.  Not yet at the cusp of adolescence, still unaware of ourselves.  Back then all I wanted do was play and maybe, if I was lucky, make a new friend.  Little did I know how defining that little trip would be for me for the rest of my existence.  At the time though, it was a simple trip to the ice machine.
          I was in a hotel room at the Marriott in Pensacola Florida.  My parents were at a convention there for my father's work.  They were there dancing, and I was in our room alone.  It was fun, being alone in a hotel room.  I jumped on the bed without being scolded, and could watch any show on the television that I wanted.  And there was the ice.  I love hotels' complementary amenities.  Shower caps, little soaps, and free ice from a machine. I've always loved to chew ice, so cold and refreshing, and as luck would have it, our room was right next to the machine.
          Looking back, I don't think we ever actually got the ice.  We both went there to get it, you came out of your room at the same time I came out of mine both with little buckets in toe but after we met it was forgotten. It was sweet. I think we each just said hi and what our names were. That was all we really needed before I invited you to play games with me.
          Was it a racing game or a fighting one? Was it on a Play station or Nintendo? I can't even remember. All I can see is the smile on your face. All I can hear is our laughter. Did it last an hour or several? I don't know. I know my parents were, and understandably so, surprised when they returned from the party to find the two of us quietly sleeping on the bed, game controllers inches from our hands. Your mom and dad were less than pleased if I recall correctly. Grounded for two weeks was it? You served your time upon returning to your home. But for that time, the two of us were friends. That convention lasted a week. Seven days we frolicked in childish frivolity. Our parents had gotten to know each other by then so it wasn't too bad, they didn't mind us spending all our time together.
It was bliss. And when the week was up, we parted ways.
          Then Two years past. I hate to admit but you had fallen to the back of my mind in that time, like a fond memory. Imagine my surprise upon seeing you again. Or rather, I have to imagine your surprise upon seeing me, you did spy me first as I remember. Same place, Pensacola Beach Florida, only this time on the actual beach. You were wearing black swim trunks with a white design on the right leg. They were loose on you, didn't quite fit right. They almost fell down when you tackled me.
          Two years from ten to twelve. So much changes in that brief span of time. We had each grown a foot or so and lost our baby fat. I don't even think I looked very much like the boy you met in that hotel. But still you recognized me from across the beach. Maybe it was my hair. These copper curls are hard to forget I suppose. In any case, you found me again.
          It was a wonderful feeling, remembering you and our time together. One never really does forget old friends or the bonds they have. Years can pass with no contact, but with a simple chance encounter they can be rekindled just as strong as before.
          Your family was vacationing just a few housed down from mine, a wonderful coincidence. This time our time together was two weeks. You, me, and the ocean. Running races on the sand, searching for the best shells in the shoals, or just laying down and enjoying the warm sun beading down on us as we felt the cool sands on our backs. I hardly saw my parents on that trip. It was all with you. It was always all for you.
          I think it was then, though we did not see it fully at the time, that our mutual attraction began. We were not children anymore, but still we did not fully know ourselves. I knew I was different than the others but not how. Looking back it's pretty clear to me now that I was just discovering my sexuality for what it was. I had no idea you were going through the same thing. I just knew that I liked seeing you happy, that your smile meant the world to me, and that our time together could last the rest of our lives and still not be enough.
          I did not know it, but it was then that I truly began to love you. And you to love me. I only wish we had let each other know sooner.  Then when we had to part ways yet again we might have stayed closer in ways other than in our hearts.
          Our second brief interlude was twice as long as the first, but so was the ensuing absence. Our third meeting, we were sixteen, in that same city. That place will always be special to me. It is our city.  We had stayed in touch off and on thanks to social networking sites, though it wasn't the same. I know in that time our lives changed quite a bit, or at least yours did. It was hard, your parents' devoice. I know you don't like to talk about it. It hurt you. And the move didn't make things much easier either. My life was stable and boring by comparison. But that didn't' really matter. What mattered is that by a stroke of luck we were once again both in our city.
          Your dad was there on business, and my mom and I were just passing through. But for some reason that's when you chose to text me for the first time. And as before, all those feeling and memories came rushing back, this time with something new. We did know ourselves by then. And seeing your face again in my mind's eye I wanted nothing more than to see you again.
          I got in so much trouble for that. Mom said we didn't have time that night, but I couldn't take that for an answer. So I took the car after she went to bed. We had had a long day getting there, and dad would have an even longer one the next day, but I didn't care I had to see you. And I soon found out that you felt the same. I'll never forget that message you sent to me. For as long as I live that one little sentence will always be with me.
          "Return to the place where we first met."
          I'll admit that I was as nervous about seeing you again as I was excited. I wasn't very good at driving then, but I wasn't going to let that stand in the way. I took my time, and damn near died running a red light by mistake, but I got there. And who did I see leaning against an old ice machine upon my arrival? He had slightly unkempt black hair that nearly went to his shoulders, a cocky grin on his face, and the most beautiful dark brown doe eyes I had ever seen. I saw the love of my life there, when I saw you.
          It was like no time had passed since we had seen each other, as if the four years had only been a brief pause like I had taken a short nap. You knew it too that night. We caught up on each other's lives, revisited old experiences, and really got the know one another. And we smiled through our the whole thing. And then…the beach. The moon wasn't quite full that night, but it still looked beautiful reflected on the water and illuminating the white clean sand on the beach. We walked up and down that beach in our jeans and tee-shirts, and bear feet. I can't remember what we did with our shoes. That part of the memory got pushed to the side I suppose by the momentous event that followed. The first time we kissed.
          It was so random. We had been talking nonstop before, but then we sat down to look at the the night sky. There was a pause, a small space of silence when we each just took in the moment. And then you quickly leaned over and kissed me. I never saw it coming. It was like time itself had stood still, and all the world was gone save for us, the sound of the ocean embracing the shore, and the light of the moon. It was over as quickly as it had started. You were so embarrassed. It was cute, seeing you vulnerable like that. You are always so strong, so sure of yourself, but after that first kiss you were fragile and unsure.
          You apologized and got up to leave, but I grabbed your hand, and I pulled you back. For the rest of that glorious night we held each other, our arms and legs intertwined, kissing each other every now and then so gently, until we fell asleep.
          The sunrise woke us up. I awoke first and got to enjoy the sight of your low and heavy breathing until you too were awake. Then another kiss before you said good morning. And it was a good morning, maybe the best in my life, the morning after finding your true love. The rest of the day was pretty terrible though. My parents ripped me a new one for taking the car and staying our all night, and I know your mother didn't go any easier on you. But the month grounding I suffered was completely worth it. Because I had you. And you had me.

         And now, here we are. We stayed together despite the distance, coming together once a year for two weeks. We stayed together for these last two years even after your father disowned you for being who you are.  We're at the same college, you to pursue your music and me my writing, but really to be together always. Finally our lives were in sink. I could see you every day instead of once a year. And you could finally have some stability, because I will always be here for you. Life was heaven. And I could not have asked for anything more.
         But now, all I want is for you to wake up. Please, oh god please, wake up. Wake up so I can see your smile once more…I love you so much…please, just wake up…don't leave me ….please...
…….

          I must have fallen asleep, surprised the nurse didn't make me leave last night… What the-the world stands still again, our lips together once more….
          "Good morning."