Redemption

[Dano]

I've posted this before, about 6 months ago when I first wrote it, but I looked at it last night and it still looks good, so I thought I'd dust it off.

He sits there, surrounded by his friends. His scars are clearly visible. He neither hides them nor shows them off, but everyone can see them. He no longer talks about them as he once did, almost prideful of the pain.

He just can't seem to come out, even though he keeps going in for more. He goes in, hopeful and ready, or so he thinks. Then, piece by piece, he is defeated. The people who know him offer encouragement, while knowing and anticipating his downfall. They ever offer half-hearted hope, knowing that he'll never be the victor.

He spies a face at the end of the bar. Sitting with friends, she is pretty in a way that calls out to him. She smiles. He smiles back and turns away. He is tired of it all, and rarely goes in anymore.

One of his friends notices, and says he should go over and talk to her. He offers token resistence, knowing what will happen. He will go over. Maybe she will like him. Maybe she'll take him home with her. Maybe they'll be together for a few weeks. But then, as always, it will end.

It always does. He is covered in scars, a monument to futility. He no longer cries out in pain, not to the others. He spends long hammering nights alone in his house, praying to a God he isn't sure exists, praying for either release or redemption. He gets neither, but goes on praying.

He goes over and says hello. She turns to him and tells him her name. It is a unique name, pretty in the same way she is. They talk, about this and that. She finishes her drink, and he offers to buy her one. She smiles and accepts on the condition that she buy him one as well. Drinks are poured, served, toasted and tasted. His heart begins to quicken, and his thoughts lean to the positive.

They spend the evening together, talking. They do not drink much. She offers her apartment as somewhere to go after last call. He is hopeful and ready. His friends offer encouragement.

They spend the night together, talking, then loving, then talking. He watches the sun come up through her kitchen window, thinking how lovely it appears. She comes to him and embraces him, asking if he is all right. He assures her, then kisses the top of her head. They return to bed, to sleep.

His scars fade at her touch, and he notices she has them as well, ones that fade at his touch. He looks deeply into her eyes, and they both know. Without telling each other, they both know. They hold each other, and whisper soft thank-yous to each other and to the God they aren't sure exists, for redemption.

[jones]

even better the second time around.

more please!

take care

---jones

------------------
"self-employed"
new chapters in Works & Days
a punk rock romance in words, music & art
http://www.freehomepages.com/worksanddays

[AsIs]

Most Awesome!

[Branflakes]

That. is. incredible.

Glad you reposted since I wasn't here 6 months ago.

Thanks, Dano.

------------------
Branflakes, the ninja lesbian milk getter.
The one Necro calls "brain".
Call me what you want, just don't call me Blue Falcon. Wait! Nevermind! Just call me!
Your smell floats in my memory, long after you've gone.
"You don't go for that male stuff, do you, Butch?"

[Miral]

Wow! wow...all I can say is wow

------------------
~There are a great many people in the country today who, through no fault of their own, are sane.~
~Is that my hand in your pocket or am I just happy to see you?~
~You want me to dress up as Wonderwoman, tie you up in my golden lariat and make you tell the truth, don't you?~

[gollum]

i can't comment right now...i have to go give Squid a hug.

-g

------------------
Sometimes i think everyone on this board is crazy. The rest of the time i'm sure.
-Dan

[Miral]

*wipes away a tear* Man, there is too much talent in this bunch!!!

------------------
~There are a great many people in the country today who, through no fault of their own, are sane.~
~Is that my hand in your pocket or am I just happy to see you?~
~You want me to dress up as Wonderwoman, tie you up in my golden lariat and make you tell the truth, don't you?~

[JaceSan]

Yes Miral, these people are quite talented. Not to mention, funny, friendly, supportive, sharing...

[NecroFlash]

i'd tell you how i feel
but then i'd be saying too much
you see the pain
you know
you know
but you cannot understand
and you help so much
so much
but there is this unbelief in your eyes
i need someone who can understand
it's so hard telling you what to do
what to say to make me feel
better
i just want to be in your arms
be close to you
feel you
make myself feel better
but i know
that i will cry
when lying in your arms
cry to you tonight
you touch me
you touch my scars
but they cannot fade
they are demons in my life
but you make them better
you make them heal
you make me feel
again
and if i ever forget to thank you
please remember me
and remember the look in my eyes
when you hold me so tight
close to you
feeling endlessly safe
in your arms
remember the tears of
gratitude rolling down my face
remember my eyes
filled with love
for you
remember how much you mean to me
remember how much i love you
but most important of all
remember how much you have
helped me
how much i owe to you
and how much
i want to thank you
again and again and again
tell you till the end of time
who you are in my life

you can't take away my scars
but you can make them better
and make me
feel

------------------
"I have a portrait on my wall
of a serial killer
I thought he wouldn't escape
Aisha, he got out"
-Iggy Pop with Death in Vegas

"I am the God of HellFire!"

'People have problems - magazines have issues.'

The Crazy German person

The one who says "oob"

[erisesoteric]

sheesh Dano, and YOU said you liked my stuff...

I know (for myself) that the highest compliment anyone can give me is when they tell me that what I've written drew something out of them, that they had been there, done that, so to speak.

This piece does that with me... the scars, the feeling of connection... the coming together of two imperfect people who can do alot to heal each other... Reminds me of a special man I knew... *sigh*

Anyway, another wow.