Lies
She had seen it coming. Like a storm brewing, grey clouds that stretched its way across the sky, the sun eventually disappearing to leave nothing but cloud. It made for hazy thinking.
She had seen it in the way he lingered, head turning this way and that as if he could possibly think of anything else. Whistling, the tune faltering. Reflective and sombre.
She had seen it in their last goodbyes. That twitch at the edge of his mouth, the way he clung onto her hand a little longer than usual. He said nothing and she heard him all the same.
Stay.
The wind waited for no-one, not even her. Obligation was her priority and she took comfort in the distance, even as it grieved her. Months, years, perhaps. But she always knew he would be there when she returned. Always the same, always smiling.
Yet, he was not smiling this time. Nervous, bumbling, he barely said a word to her and she took it upon herself to mention how nice Poland had been. Rather cold but she made the best of it- in her most fanciful furs, no less. He said 'how nice'. And then they sat in silence.
She let him walk her home, knowing that her relief came in the form of an intrusive uncle. He would see her there at the doorstep and ask what this was all about. For the fun of it, not for the concern that there was a man there. They all knew each other.
"Mary."
A lovely sound but now, so hurtful. Unwanted. She asked him not to say anything but he said he must.
He told her of the sun and the stars and the moon, how they were all for her. Because of her. How the flowers bloomed and the birds sang, and how the curve of her handwriting was like a thousand promises and more. Talking of how he missed her, how he adored her. A word missing that began with the letter L.
She had hesitated and that had been her worst mistake. Pulling her hand from his, she made any excuse. Anything that came to mind, including a curse for Uncle Albert, who, for once in his life, was minding his own business.
"I simply don't feel the same way." And that was that.
"Funny," he said. "I never took Mary Poppins for a liar."
She had closed the door, his face disappearing from view. Just because she couldn't see him, didn't mean he wasn't there. He followed her, in heart and mind. And she resented him for it. They could not do this forever. One of them would leave the other; that was how it worked. That was how it would always end. She would leave him for a life he could not follow, or she would stay and eventually, he would pass on, leaving her with nothing but grief.
No, she was not a liar. But exceptions must be made.