The Last Goodbye

We stood at the airport gate, and I knew it was the last time I'd see her. Three years of long-distance had worn us thin, like a rope fraying one thread at a time. She smiled that smile I fell in love with, but her eyes were already somewhere else. 'Take care of yourself,' she said. I wanted to say something profound, something that would make her stay. But all I managed was a nod. She turned and walked through the gate, and I stood there until the board flipped to 'Boarding Complete.' The janitor asked me to move. I haven't loved anyone since.