Dear imaginary friend,
It was real to me. And the tears certainly feel real.
But it was just my imagination running wild.
Because friends don't do that.
Friends have limits, and lines, and unspoken rules. Friends don't hit below the belt, or kick when you're down. Friends will stand in the line of fire, take the bullet, fall and get back up to take another. For you. Why? Because that's what friends do.
That's what I would have done.
did do.
still will.
Cassie tells me I'm a fool. She thinks I should have seen the unseen a long time ago. "I just hope you don't find out the hard way, Eva."
But the hard way is the only way I ever learn.
"I told you so," was justified, but she never said the words. Only held me as I cried. Assured me that the pain would fade in time.
I spent all that time building a home from a blueprint. Hanging paintings. Picking out china. I even remodeled three times. I must have looked so silly, talking to a wall. It seemed so very real.
But the friendship was imaginary.
So, why does the imaginary dagger pierce my real heart so deeply?
Hope you enjoyed this spin on Snook's Imaginary Friend Challenge! I always love pushing myself to think of her prompts in new ways. Thanks for drawing this one out of me, @snook!
There are still a few days left if you'd like to join in!
Just click on the image below
Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash