“I thought I had gotten rid of you even though I kept you right here” I tell myself as I bring out an old box from the attic.
Unboxing it seems tougher than I thought.

I pour the contents out on the floor and sit down near it; set my glass full of tea aside with some cassettes and a book, I’ve read a thousandth times. I take it and skim through the pages until your words linger around my fingertips.

My tea’s getting cold.

You used to send me recordings of our conversations. I place one in the player and focus on the book again. I almost forgot your voice.

I take another sip. It feels bitter now.
I can hear us on the speakers and I remember this one.

“Will you be the one to stay?” I ask.
Silence takes over. You don’t say a word but I can still hear the tape rolling.

Do I rewind it again?

……………..
Mixtapes | May 22