We Are Forever Going Down

60: he grabs the box, fingers fumbling. open... open... open... numbers keep ticking.

50: "damn it!" slamming hands and watering eyes. i reach, he falls. his face in front of mine. "we can figure it out, we will." my eyes fill. silent shake of my filthy hair.

40: "no! i can't lose you. you aren't done here yet." voice cracks. conviction dies. desperation flashes.

30: my breath, a wisp of wind against his ear. "it was going to come to this." a wet shake of his head. i nod, my own grief running twin rivers down my red cheeks.

20: surge. arms around my waist. lips on mine. i'm crushed against a hard body. feverish. savor it.

10: still intertwined. 9: my lips almost touching his. 8: panting. 7: "my darling, my love, my everything," 6: "life's great secret," 5: "is that we are forever going down."

0: and... down... we... went.