It was the end of a long on again - off again relationship, and it was clear that this time it was off permanently. But still he had to know.
"Did you ever really love me?"
A hundred thoughts surrounding a hundred memories swirled around in her head...the time they went to Disneyworld...the way he looked in his tuxedo at his brother's last wedding...the way he looked at her when she wore that blue satin gown...the way he said he wished she could always look this good, implying that she wasn't feminine enough the rest of the time...the way she wished he could be more masculine, more assertive, and not so damned laid back all the time...his appreciation of her music...the fact he didn't know how bad his own music was...
"Did you ever really love me?" Trent asked.
"I loved being with you," said Monique. "I loved the things we did together, I loved the way we made love, I loved the way you were always there for me."
"But, did you ever really love ME?"
She did not want this. Trent was a decent man who did not deserve to have his heart broken. But she had to be honest.
"No. I wish I could say I did."
Trent turned away as a tear formed in his eye.
"Trent, I'm sorry, I..."
"Just...go."
It took all of his strength not to cry in front of her. Monique left, turning around to look at him just one more time. Even with his back to her, she could tell his heart was breaking, and her heart broke for him, but she couldn't say what she didn't feel. She walked out the door, hoping he would be alright.
Trent sniffled. He picked up his guitar and started playing a song he hadn't heard in years. He knew the melody, he made up the words.
"Love hurts, it's true But me and you Keep falling hard each time It's such a crime How love..."
Even tho he was singing the song a full octave lower than the version by Nazareth, he still struggled for the high notes. He coughed, cleared his throat, and tried again.
"It's such a crime How love can break your heart Tear your soul apart You think you've found the one But it's doomed from the start Love hurts Ooh, ooh, love hurts"
"Love cuts so deep And in your sleep It comes to you in dreams And makes it seem That you cannot survive Cannot stay alive Without someone to love That foolish thought's revived But love hurts Ooh, ooh, love hurts"
"Some fools dream of wedded bliss Love's first kiss, and things like this Some fall into love's abyss I'm not..."
"coff coff coff damn cigarettes"
"Some fall into love's abyss I'm not gonna fall I've seen it all before Love turns into war She swore that she was mine Then walked right out the door Love hurts Ooh, ooh love hurts Ooh, ooh love hurts Ooh, ooh love hurts Ooh, ooh love hurts Ooh, ooh"
"Cool song."
"Jesse? How long have you been standing there?"
"I came in as Monique went out. Did you two break up again?"
"Yeah, and it's for good this time. Hmm, if it's for good, why does it feel so bad?"
"You should do that song on stage. The audience would love it."
"Nah. The Spiral don't do covers. Besides, that song was just for me."