"Tommy?" Kimberly locked eyes with him, and immediately wished she had ran. It had been years, many long years, since she had last seen him. And now, to run into him, in Reefside of all places. She had so may things she needed to explain to him. And, unlike last time, it wouldn't be as simple as sitting next to the lake at Angel Grove Park and explain why she had done the things she had.

I know that you're hiding things

Using gentle words to shelter me

Your words were like a dream

But dreams could never fool me

Not that easily

Tommy looked into the eyes of the only woman he had ever loved. He was amazed. Had she actually gotten more beautiful in the years that had held them apart? He had immediately seen the ring on her ring finger, left hand. And the boy next to her, maybe ten years old, if that, who looked so much like Kimberly. And yet, somehow oddly familiar beyond that.

She wanted to explain why she had left. Why she had stayed gone, actually. Her mind reeled back, as it had many times before, to the morning after. Explaining how she had some things to take care of in Florida. Once she had them done, she'd be back. This time, for good.

She had only been back for about a month, when Coach Schmidt surprised them with physicals. It was then that Kimberly had found out she was carrying Tommy's child. One time, she thought to herself. One time, and her life had changed so drastically.

I acted so distant then

Didn't say goodbye before you left

And I was listening

You'll fight your battles far from me

Far too easily

She had wanted to send him a letter, explaining what had happened, why she decided what she did. But, after the heartbreak she had caused him before, how could she do that again?

Tommy looked at Kimberly, the confusion obvious in his face. Just as the pain was in hers. There were so many things he wanted to ask. Why? Why had she just disappeared like that, and not even tried to contact him. He had learned from the last time, and had tried calling her, but all of the numbers he had for her had been disconnected. What? What had he done to make her leave him again? How? How could he convince himself that she wasn't just a figment of his imagination?

Just then, a moment after he had walked up to her, three High School age kids ran up to him. A taller boy, dressed in a red soccer uniform, a shorter, black boy dressed in a blue pull over shirt and jeans, and a girl, adorned in a combination punk/emo/goth yellow outfit. The taller boy spoke, "Dr. O, we've got an emergency. Come on!" Tommy looked from the youths, and then back to Kimberly, swore under his breath, and ran off.

Oh, a thousand words have never been spoken

They'll fly to you crossing over the time

And distance holding you suspended on silver wings

And a thousand words, one thousand confessions

Will cradle you making all the pain you feel seem far away

They'll hold you forever

(end)