Gates and I are there. He's kissing me and I'm letting him. It's again one of those dreams that I've built around him. Now that we're in a relationship, I'm free to dream about him: without regret, without fear.
But then someone else comes into the room where I'm with Tony and I see this man's shadow faraway. I can't see him clearly. Tony continues to kiss me and does not notice the intruder. The other man stands there still watching and horror fills me. Why is this stranger watching? Why would he watch?
It's a dream but then again, it's not…and I feel shame coming over me. But still this man watches, a sorrowful yet smirk emerges and sweeps across his face. I still watch him as Gates kisses me again.
"He'll never be me," the man says and comes closer until I see his piercing green eyes. It's Ray.
"He'll never be me," he repeats and suddenly, Tony isn't there anymore. And it's just me and Ray. And Ray caresses my check and touches my lips with his finger. I want to say something, but all I can do is stare. "Can he ever give you what you crave with me?"
And then he steps back, back until he disappears and I watch him in part wonder, part anguish and part uncertainty.
But the truth comes to light. No matter how fast I run, Ray is right. No one can ever take his place.
Fin.