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Words

I grabbed him by the arm. He turned on his heel and stared at me. He watched every tear crawl out of my eyes and bolt down my cheeks like thieves escaping prison.

"Where are you going?" I choked out.


He shrugged. “Don't know.”

“Please don-“

“I’m leaving.”

“No!” I screamed. “No you’re not! You’re not going anywhere! You’re going to stay right here like you promised.” I began to shake as the tears continued.

“And when did I make that promise Isabel,” he spat, “a very long time ago.”

“But a promise is a promise,” I stuttered.

“It’s just words,” he stated. And with that, he was gone.

I rethought everything right then and there. If everything was just words, then everything he said to me wasn’t backed by anything. If words were just words, then books had no meaning. Just a bunch of letters put together so a hopeless person could read them desperately trying to find some direction when in reality, it was just a big coincidence those letters made those words. …


I disagreed with my thoughts. Words are not just words. They are much more than that. They express pain (as in a eulogy), love (as in vows), confusion (as in questions), etc. Words are not just words, they are much much more.

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I received a letter 2 weeks after the happening with Chase, who had not contacted me whatsoever during that time. I opened the letter carefully and read the words:

Isabel,
I love you, my dear, Isabel. Oh, how I was wrong to leave you like that. I should have stayed and not let you cry. I’m..I’m sorry. I remembered how much you love getting letters and I know that I suck at writing them but I just wanted to.. Isabel… Please. I'm so so sorry. Forgive me and please be mine again. I love you.
-Chase

I set the letter on the table as if it was a delicate flower that would crumble at any sudden movement. I stood frozen for a moment staring at his not-so-good penmanship.
I wanted to cry. So I did. I thought about the pep talk I had with myself after he left that night, about the exact purpose of words but I felt so hurt and wounded that I decided to use his own words against his letter.
I whispered under my breath.
“But they’re…’just words.’”

 

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