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Later That Night

I walk home long after the city’s gone to sleep.

The streetlights hum overhead like a warning.

I take the long way. Past the park. Past the shuttered bookstore. Past the glowing red neon of the dueling piano bar, now dark and still.

I could’ve spoken to her tonight. She was there. Close enough to touch even.

But I didn’t.

I can’t.

Not yet.

High above, the moon stares down, silver and full, watching me like it knows something I don’t.

Maybe I’m chasing her. Maybe I’m just running from myself.

But I know I need to keep showing up in that little blinking window on her screen.

And if that’s all I ever get...

Then maybe that’s enough.

For now.