A conversation

"You hurt me."

The silence after those words as they stared into each other's eyes was profound.

"I didn't mean to hurt you"

The expected reply to the claim. Was it a sincere claim?

"I know but you still did."

A truth that echoed through the room. Undeniable in it's simplicity.

"I want to make it better."

Another expected reply. Another question about it's authenticity.

"I don't know if you can."

Another truth? Or an unwillingness to surrender the power of being the victim?

"Just tell me what I need to do."

A script known all to well by all of us. Does rehearsal and practice numb the ideal?

"I can't trust you anymore."

Not giving in, not allowing the other side to win.

"But what I did wasn't that bad."

Loosing patience, feeling anger swell. Contriteness is supposed to be accepted.

"How can you say that!"

The role of victim lending it's strength and righteous fury.

"Don't yell at me!"

allowing the anger to run rampant, the mask of sincerity crumbled?

"I will yell at you if I damn well want to!"

The role of of predator and prey switches. Anger and zeal power a sudden show of strength.

"If all your going to do is yell I am just going to leave!"

Now a new victim, gaining strength from justification.

"Fine! Leave if you want, you always do!"

Pushing, daring, demanding the others submission to their anger.

"Of course you would say that, you never listen, why should I stay?"

responding to the competition. Right or wrong falling to the side as primal hearts collide.

"It's you who never listens! I should be the one leaving!"

Don't back down. Don't let them see your fear. Take away their power.

"Then why don't you!"

The final challenge. Is this finally the end?

"Because I can't!"

The truth of it all. I step away from the mirror, I walk out of the room. I am still with myself.