"Little Waltz" by Basia Bulat.
* * *
Violet watched the heavy rain outside her house, and decided to go outside and see it up close.
She shivered through her faded T-shirt as she watched the rain, protected on her porch.
You and I, we make a grand
salute
Stare at each other like lost little birds across the
room
and I remember the way you looked
I learned how to
dance, but I'd never shown it to you
She saw some movement on the sidewalk. She thought it was from the rain, but then she saw it again.
She ran to them, and saw a figure running from her. She chased it, getting soaked. Her hair was getting frizzy and wild.
My love,
I know I was
wrong, but you know that you'll always be
My love
Stay for
a while while our leaves are still green
Please, for
me
Violet caught the figure around the ankles, and they felt, letting out a familiar grunt.
"Quigley?" she asked incredulously.
I know I tried, but it's hard
sometimes
The roots don't take, it takes a while
And you
pull at the strings
But they're broken, it seems
The dance
isn't over for me, no
"I brought the hot chocolate," he gasped, and brandished a shopping bag.
"Sorry." Violet winced.
