excerpts from a book i'll never write - five.

lying there on her back in the dark room, her body turned toward his, head turned away resting with her right arm under her cheek, she stares out the window, tears brimming.

he stares at her a moment, taking her in.  "does this hurt you?"

she shakes her head, but never matches his gaze.  "no," she lies.

"you're lying," he reads right through her, fighting to keep his voice from catching in his throat.  he swallows hard.

she's quiet for a long moment.  her eyes blink back the tears as she finally looks back at him.

"you taught me how."