A Little Piece of Sunshine

I watched as you both walked towards me. You, I of course was quite familiar. Your smell, the way you always sang, and the impatient voice you had when frustration seeped in. But this new human, this girl that seemed to smile far too wide for my liking. Why was she bouncing towards me? I was quiet and thoughtful as we made our way to the beach. Once you left, the cold of the ocean became more apparent. My clock seemed to push onwards, but much too slow. And suddenly both of you were back, and seemingly grateful that I could shelter you from the elements. But no words of thanks were uttered that night. Or any other night. As the girl's presence became more frequent, my disdain for the lack of appreciation began to slowly melt. Until just a small puddle of sadness remained. A sadness that rooted in your lack of attention, your lack of love. I was once this bright yellow piece of sunshine. But she became your sunshine, and I became a mere glow.

I might have hated her. I might have wanted to run into the nearest tree just to rid myself of the curse that was her presence. But I could never put you in danger. I couldn't run without you. Me and you, the only way it’s ever been. As time went on, things began to change. Tears, anger, resentment, secrets. And then the worst of it all: mind-numbing quiet. The chattering ride to the beach seemed but a distant memory, becoming hazier to everyone involved. I couldn't be sure, but I think even my bright yellow coat began to fade slightly. And then one day, she was gone. I kept expecting a bouncy, lanky woman to pop out from the shadows and sit her narrow butt down on my precious cushions. But it never happened. Instead, it was just you and me, just like old times. I would get you all the way to that big building you would spend all day in, and then right back to that squished parking spot. And I was once again your sunshine.

Except...I wasn't. It seemed like you had lost any semblance of having the warmth of a figurative sun, and instead embraced the gloom. No more singing and your impatient voice seemed to ring with a new kind of anger. My once smooth running engine began to sputter, and my lights began to dim. What was happening to me? I was the brightest car for miles away, yet I couldn't light up your eyes. Everyone stared at me as I passed, and people even made up games in my honor. But I couldn't catch your attention if I tried. As I sat rotting away in that small spot that I called home, I finally realized what I had been missing. You are the one that was my sunshine. My little piece of sunshine, of warmth, of love, of joy. And I hoped one day you could be that again. Until that day, I suppose we will ride together in silence, embracing the gloom.