--

it's the way you grow up. your parents only bickered, or were quiet and bored. they ignored each other, with never a kiss or a hug, or those things that you see couples do on t.v., and then one day, as a ennui'd seven year old, as you came trudging up the stairs from playing outside, thirsty for water,

and summer was ending,

in a sun-soaked bedroom, you saw your father pick up your mother. and she was lovely, in a blue, periwinkle skirt. he hugged her close. he spun her around in the air, and they were like dancers in a lovely movie. and on their faces, you saw it, happiness & bliss. you were still thirsty for water, but the smart cookie you were, you slipped quietly back down the stairs, and back outside, before anyone knew that you knew, that love was real.