by Erin Ajello
Your job is supposed to be easy.
Win the girl over, get the girl, keep the girl.
You’re only nineteen, so the plan isn’t much more than that.
If, after getting the girl and keeping her for a few months, and letting those months become years, you may allow for more than that.
You will then be older and may consider proposing to the girl, marrying the girl, building the girl a home.
You won me over so quickly.
I hope you didn’t think the rest of the plot would occur as easily.
You got me, and I gave you all of me.
Here is my body, here is my home, take what you will, it’s yours to own.
But you decided to keep me, to commit to me, and I made that same promise to you.
Only, I came with a warning.
Caution: steep roads ahead
I let you know that early on
The first time you saw me cry, I was sick
Sick with a 103 fever and the fear that I would get weak again
That I would go back to the doctors and the hospitals who wondered what was making the young girl in front of them pale and too dizzy to stand
I explained this, one of my more personal struggles, to you within our first month
You handled it well, helping me call my parents and arrange for the doctor, and rest with you holding me
When I cried after that, the reasons went beyond the physical
The first time I met your family, you were playing piano for an infant niece who found you fascinating
You looked so kind and so beautiful, and I cried, thanking the heavens that I was here long enough to meet you, and praying that I may keep you
The next few weeks caused pain with less obvious sources
You came back from classes to find me sobbing on my bed, looking as terrified as I was from my nightmares,
You’re already seen half a dozen of those as well
You saw me weep without reason and comforted me through it
You came through where so many others failed
You are the only seatbelt that has ever successfully kept me back from the crash
The only man who has decided to steer me to safety without getting off track
Everything you do is saving me.
Every hug, kiss, word, touch, promise.
I am strengthened by every day with you
Please stay for more.
-title from Mayday Parade’s “Stay”
