Beloved

She closes her book and looks up from his lap at the ceiling. He closes his book, too.

Her eyes glaze over, and a numbness begins to expand from her chest. He offers to take her wherever she wants.

"A cathedral," she tells him.

"Sugar, anything you wanna do."

They don't talk on the way, but he laughs at the quails crossing in front of the car.

He lets her sit alone. He circles the chapel and looks at the art while she sits on the second row to the far right.

Her eyes are fixated on the pulpit and she is unable to look at any paintings. After a long while, he sits behind her and presents the same offer as before.

"Back home," she tells him.

"Sister, anything you wanna do."

They don't talk on the way, but they hit a green light at every intersection.

He closes the front door and notices her looking out the window. The sunset is blinding and lights up the damp kitchen. He steps in front of her and is silhouetted from behind. She takes his face as he presents the same offer as before.

And she shakes her head.

He takes one of her hands and holds it out. He pulls her close and sways them from side to side.

"Lover, anything you wanna do."

-rae

*White Shoes--Conor Oberst