You Wouldn't Be Here If There Wasn't Something Missing.

  
      For the first time in their many years of friendship, both stood there in silence. Only the distant parking lot lights gave view to pissed, hard headed facial expressions and to each breath exhaled in that cold night. Each propped up against their vehicles and neither giving an inch of leeway for the other. It was natural for both to stand their ground and hold their own. It's not just what they do...it's who they are. However, no matter their natural instincts to do things the hard way or act emotionally disconnected, they always seem to cave to a certain degree more when it came to the other- until that very moment when they didn't. She was almost taken back by the way he barked back and stood firm in his words. For a second, she was amused by his relentless hardening and show of not backing down...until she slowly started drowning with each rough word. Never had she been graced with this blank, heartless look across his face. It was past time for one of them to give in before the situation escalated to something worse. Swallowing her pride, she laid it all on the line. Right there, in that parking lot, they both knew their friendship was more than the label each lived by. Without expectation and knowing that his hands are tied, her lips trembled and voice cracked- not from the cold but from the emotions in the words.

      They shared a past full of, "You should have said or done something more..." and leaving anything else left unsaid was not an option. The truth was told and his eyes seem to soften ever so slightly. His words quickly became echoes that were already acknowledged. Tears filled her eyes for the mixed feelings running rampant. Not one tear fell as she gathered her composure long enough to remember she was a friend first- nothing more, nothing less. Deep down she understood and knew what needed to be done-for him. Because when you love someone, you put their needs before your own. No matter how inconceivable those needs were; sacrifice would be inevitable.

      It seems like a noble concept, until it comes down the actual sacrifice itself. When you can't help who, justify when, or understand beyond the reason why, you just do what needs to be done for the other. Just as sacrifice can not be fully understood by anyone on the outside, if someone does not share the same load you carry, you can only pray those same people looking from the outside in will recognize and appreciate the magnitude.

Nise.