*By GILDA LILY*

Another bullet

For me.

Yet you can't seem to

Welcome me back

Into your life.

Did you know

That you never even

Looked at me

While we were

In Welsh's office?

I was staring at you

Like a starving man,

And you never glanced

My way.

Oh, Ray,

What are you afraid of?

Do you think that I've

Fallen

For the other Ray?

I like him,

Very much,

But as a friend,

A brother,

But he's not

My heart.

*You* are my Ray.

*Mine.*

I've been in

Purgatory

For nine months,

Waiting for your return,

So that I could start

Living again.

And now...

When I first saw you

Across that hotel lobby,

My mind didn't know you,

But my body did.

My pulse raced,

And my heart beat

Faster,

As my legs propelled me

Across a thousand lifetimes

And up those stairs,

In desperate haste.

Part of me *knew*

It was you.

All I knew was

That I couldn't lose you.

And then the door opened,

And you were there,

And I smiled

With all my heart.

And later,

When you called me

'Benny',

My heart overflowed

With joy.

But you seemed

Distant

After that.

Have you grown tired

Of me?

Did you learn

That you could live

Without me?

Oh, Ray,

When I saw you

Run toward Muldoon,

My blood ran cold.

He fired,

And you dropped.

My protector...

Again.

I love you so much

My heart aches.

I want to feel

Your arms

Around me,

Hear your sweet

Laughter

In my ear,

Your gentle touch

On my skin.

Do you still love me?

Why can't you say it?