I walk into the cramped bar, it reminds me of a basement in suburbia.. but in a comforting way. I survey the crowd of drunk twenty something year olds, he is siting near the door but I still manage to hear him before I see him. A grin wipes across his face when our eyes meet and I smile without hesitation. We always seem to meet underground, ten years, little sunlight, tears, laughing untill I hurt, catching me when I fall, plastic lawn ornaments and so much foolish pride.

He hugs me tightly and we drink, laugh and enjoy all the old faces. I smile when it all dawns on me.. we have beat all the odds.. ten years and full circle, he is still one of my best friends. All the fucking, fighting, loving and hating and we are still standing. This man that knows me in ways no one ever will, everything I love him for I also hate him for. I am sad beyond words about him going overseas, our sexual relationship had nothing to do with that. I will still have to think of the boy I grew up with fighting in that horrible war, scared and trying to keep strong. If anything happens to him I will come unglued.