The Funny One (#2 in a collection of short ‘love’ stories)

The darkness lifts and light streams in until it’s cruelly cut off, once again. But then in darkness, we can sometimes derive pleasure...

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The Funny One

When you’ve become trapped in a relationship - no matter your age; no matter the length of it - it can feel as if you’ve dropped down a well. There’s no way to climb out and it’s mostly darkness. Until the lid is lifted, that is, and the light begins to pour in. 

I was stuck down a well and The Funny One lifted the lid to reveal the light.

He had a jovial way about him. It was as if life was breezy. There was no darkness; no sadness; no misery. And I felt like at last, I could breathe. I could float around town with him, his arm draped around my shoulders, breezing through life too. We laughed easily and smiled widely and never felt jealous or argued. Because, why bother?

He was into football and played on the school team, as well as in the park after school. I’d stand on the sidelines, watching him. Knowing he’d glance over. Knowing he had his eye on me too. Knowing there was an energy between us that was so strong and clear we didn’t need to verbalise it or question anything. 

It wasn’t love, it was connection. 

One afternoon, The First One showed up. He stood there, like a shadow, emanating darkness and a kind of death. He watched me watching The Funny One. He was in pain. He thought he wanted me. But what he wanted was my light. I’d tried to shine it on him but it hadn’t worked. He was down his own well. I told him to go and eventually, he did.

I returned my gaze to the pitch.