I was having "work block", where I couldn't do what I need to do at work today, so I took the methodology I use to get past writer's block (which is writing something until I can write what I was trying to write) to get to work. This is what came out. Comments are welcome.

©2008, James C. Taylor, all rights reserved

"You don't need me." A tear crested the hill of her cheek and ran down toward her chin.

"No." He shifted in his seat. "I don't." He sat leaning into her, but stiff, hands on the table, curved, palms down. He watched the tear fall off her face.

She raised an eyebrow. "What?"

He exhaled. "I want you."

"Whoopie."

He looked down at his hands. "I believe that it is better to be wanted than to be needed." He looked up at her. "If you're needed, you can be resented."

Her tears increased. "I need to be needed. I need to matter." She pulled a tissue from her pocket.

He blinked twice. "You matter."

She frowned and glared. "Would you die without me?"

"No."

"Then I don't matter enough."

"I have to be able to live without you." He inhaled and exhaled deeply. "I have to be able to live without anyone. If I am not me -not whole- without you, who am I with you?"

"Let people in! Count on them! Count on me!"

"I love you. And I believe you'd do anything for me. But the only person I can count on to be there whenever I need someone is me." He shifted in his seat. "That's not a put down. Sometimes when you're angry at me, or you're hurting, or you're dealing with something of your own, you cannot be there when I need you. You simply can't."

She crumpled the tissue and threw it at his head. "I hope the two of you will be happy." She got up and walked out.

"There are times you can't be there when I need you." A tear formed in his eye. "Like now."

Not sure what to say. It hits kind of close to home.