Missing Me  

by Lainie Belcastro

“Ping!” OMG it’s that familiar sound that turns my heart around.

It’s him, texting after months of ghosting me.

“My thoughts are wandering. I’ve missed you,” he writes.

Really? I wonder what it is that he misses after so many silent nights.

He knows nothing about the real me. If he did, he would know this is not where I want to be,

caught on a screen between our sensual, sexting moments and settling for a touch of intimacy,

hoping with each sent text, his next one will be real

and he will feel what I feel for him.

But he’s lured me in again, to his dim, dark hotel room,

with his laptop in place that will capture my shadowed face and body with visions

that he will place somewhere in his mind,

filed away for another time when he disappears into his safe, secluded space without me.

Like well-rehearsed actors, we repeat our lines, perform our scenes, until the closing comes.

He’s happy with this ending. I hear it in his voice and then he whispers,

“God, I really miss you!”

And I just mouth the words without him hearing, “Me too…”

* * * * *

Lainie Belcastro is a published author and poet in many genres. Her poems have appeared in the inspirational blog Writing In A Woman’s Voice and Guardian Angel Kids Online Magazine. Her worldwide children’s book, Harriet’s Heartbroken Heart, released by Guardian Angel Publishing and co-authored by her daughter, Nika, is a healing book for children experiencing grief. Another children’s book is contracted for a future release. Her uplifting stories can be found in many of the motivational Chicken Soup for the Soul books. Lainie is co-creator of the trademarked Mrs. Terra Cotta Pots & Twig and the Patching Hearts wellness programs for children. As a guest speaker, she encourages her wide audiences to "see something beautiful every day!" She holds many titles in the arts, but her most treasured title is mom! Visit her at www.lainiebelcastro.com