Eddie

Eddie

T HERE SHE IS.

My girl.

Finally, finally, finally

, my body sings.

‘Hello, Birdie,’ I say, when I manage to speak at last.

‘You waited,’ she says, and she seems saddened by the thought.

‘I waited,’ I tell her, and it sounds like a song.

The light of the hospital window ignites her hair and everything glowing metal around her.

She smiles again.

Eddie

, her smile says. It’s time.

And so

I take her perfect face in my hands

and she leans in close

and I close my eyes

and it begins.