She spoke. Out loud. Her lips moved. Tasha. Alive. Standing in front of her. Talking.

Overwhelmed by so many feelings and emotions the expression on her face said it all. At that very moment Alice wanted to speak but had forgotten hoe to. Her palms began to sweat, her knees buckled, and it felt like she had a lump her in throat. Tasha, there she was standing just a few inches away from her staring right back at her looking not saying a word. The longer Alice stared the more her eyes began to wield up with tears. Everything around her was silent with the exception of the sound of her heartbeat. Not able to conceal her emotional state tears began to flow down her cheek. Tasha had gained a few pounds and from what Alice could see was pure muscle. She was wearing light blue coveralls with a white beater underneath that exposed her arms. Tasha had always been in great shape but her arms were more defined. She was still gorgeous however, her experience had caused her to age a little bit.

For Tasha, Alice looked more beautiful than the day she did when she left for deployment many years ago. Many nights as a POW she pictured Alice face and memories of what it felt like to touch and hold her. Seeing the tears streaming down her face it was evident that her being away had caused her great pain. She had always hated to see Alice cry. In her eyes she could see the combination of hurt, pain, and anger. Her instincts told her to walk over to her, pull her into her arms, and vow to never let her go. However, her mind knew better. The silence between them was deafening and awkward. The two former lovers were now strangers. Silently Tasha had to keep reminding herself to breath. There was so much she wanted to tell her. Seeing the visible engagement ring on her finger snapped her back into reality as it reminded her that Alice heart was no longer hers.

“It’s nice to see you,” Tasha says in an awkward tone hoping to break the silence.

Alice still staring is unable to find her voice remains silent.

Tasha could only imagine the thoughts running through Alices head. She knew her presence alone would be hard for Alice which is way she had agreed to keep her distance. Up until this point she had did a pretty great job of just that.