Note: This story was dynamically reformatted for online reading convenience.
 
 White Flag by Girl Friday Copyright 2003, all rights reserved



   Sometimes I think I've always loved Drew.  We'd been together now for
almost six months and every time I was with him I fell deeper in love. 
That was why I had to let him go.

   ***

   I know you think that I shouldn't still love you, Or tell you that. But
if I didn't say it, well I'd still have felt it where's the sense in that?

   I promise I'm not trying to make your life harder Or return to where we
were

   Well I will go down with this ship And I won't put my hands up and
surrender There will be no white flag above my door I'm in love and always
will be

   ***

   The look on his face was tearing my soul to pieces.  I had never seen
him as angry and hurt as he was at this moment.  His beautiful brown eyes
were full of pain and just for a moment I wavered, wanting more than ever
to take my words back.

   "How can you say you love me and then tell me it's over?"

   His bitter accusation speared my heart.  I didn't want to let him go.  I
loved this man more than I thought was possible.  I thought about what his
life was like with me in it.

   No.

   I wouldn't do that to him.  My resolve firmed.  Regardless of my
feelings, it was the right thing to do.

   "I'm sorry.  This is the way it has to be.  I hope one day you can
forgive me."

   "I can't believe you're doing this to me ...  to us.  You are everything
to me, and now you're just walking away."

   "This isn't easy for me either.  I love you, you know I do, but I have
to go."

   I could feel the tears running down my face.  If I didn't leave now I
never would.  Walking away from him and getting in my car was the hardest
thing I have ever done.  I knew my heart would never mend and that I would
love him forever.

   ***

   I know I left too much mess and destruction to come back again And I
caused nothing but trouble I understand if you can't talk to me again And
if you live by the rules of "it's over" then I'm sure that that makes sense

   Well I will go down with this ship And I won't put my hands up and
surrender There will be no white flag above my door I'm in love and always
will be

   ***

   I saw him again a few weeks later at the grocery store.

   He looked terrible.  He had lost weight and there was a hollow, haunted
look to his face.  He stopped as he turned the corner and saw me there. 
Our eyes locked and I searched his for any sign of the love we had shared.
Cold, hard, emptiness was all I could find.

   Silently, he turned and walked away.  I watched him set his basket aside
and continue on out the sliding, automatic door.

   I couldn't blame him really.  That didn't stop my heart from breaking
all over again.

   ***

   And when we meet Which I'm sure we will All that was there Will be there
still I'll let it pass And hold my tongue And you will think That I've
moved on....

   ***

   I didn't see him again for another two years.  I was standing at the
bar, waiting for my glass of wine as the party moved into high gear around
me.  As the bartender handed me my glass, Drew came to stand beside me.  My
heart hitched at the sight of him.

   He looked wonderful.  Tanned, well muscled -- the sparkle was back in
his eyes and the smile came easily to his face.  The love I felt for him
surged through me and I couldn't help but smile in response.  My body began
to ache and throb with longing as I struggled to maintain my facade of
polite inquiry.

   "Hello, Drew.  You're looking well."

   "Rebecca ...  how have you been?"

   "Never better." He would never know the effort those words cost me. 
"And yourself?"

   He looked at me with an odd, wistful smile on his face.  "It took me a
long time to get over you, Rebecca.  I'm not sure I'll ever love anyone the
way I loved you.  But I've met someone else and she loves me.  We've built
a life together, the life I asked you to share with me once.  I suppose I
should thank you, I'm sure you'll understand if I don't."

   "I'm happy for you, Drew.  I'm glad you have someone who loves you."

   A man came to stand beside me.  I knew without looking who it was as he
slipped his arm possessively around my waist.

   "Drew, I'd like you to meet my husband, Tom.  Tom, this is Drew
Richards, an old friend."

   Drew held his hand out to Tom.  "Congratulations.  I didn't know Rebecca
was married."

   Tom laughed and shook Drew's hand, "You must be a really old friend. 
Becks and I have been married for ten years."

   ***

   Well I will go down with this ship And I won't put my hands up and
surrender There will be no white flag above my door I'm in love and always
will be

   ***

   --Fin--

   'White Flag' lyrics copyright 2003 by Dido Armstrong, Rick Nowels and
Rollo Armstrong

   'White Flag' recorded by Dido and available on her album 'Life For
Rent', published by Arista Records