Jessica Fall, OWP 1998

 

He knew.
The mask came off today.
He saw her as if for the first time
The facade
crumbled
Happy
  outgoing
    talkative
      friendly
but underneath. . .
    she was Afraid&endash;&endash;
                 Alone
        afraid of being Alone
                of being Betrayed.
            Afraid of Trusting

In a crowded room filled with hundreds of people
talking, laughing, clinking dishes
Yet she was alone.
Wanting to reach out
But afraid.
Afraid to trust, to let go
and actually trust.

He watched her&endash;at that crowded table&endash;
amid the clinking spoons and forks, lightly
Recount her father's latest escapades.
And he saw
the unspoken details
lying beneath her facade
He understood
the devastating effect
of her father's betrayal--
the hurt, anger
embarrassment
fear, sadness
the loss.
He knew --
He had seen it all happen
Watched her.
He knew the effects--
her vulnerability
her fear.
He knew she could rely on no one
not even him.
Could she ever trust him? he wondered

Their eyes met.
She quickly averted her gaze
not wanting to let him read the questions
in her eyes.
Could she ever trust him? she wondered
Would he betray her?
Would he tell the truth?
Would he make wise decisions?
Would he let her down?
Would she let him down?

You need to trust me
his eyes said.

I know, but how?