You were my bad habit

I saw you from across the room

Something drew me to you

But what?

You’re not tall.

Your hands are small.

What could it be?

Maybe it was the ocean air

Or that hypnotic southern drawl

Whatever it was I know you felt it too

We connected

And that connection kept pulling me

Toward the sound of your voice

Hour after hour on the phone

Day after day

Week after week

Month after month

We laughed, made plans

Began a project together

I learned about your life, your struggles and successes

And yet, something felt off

Oh the laughter and connection were very real

And I stayed stuck, craving more

Until the truth seeped out

And what a bitter pill that was to swallow

Trust was shattered

And along with it, the spell you cast over me

Gone

What remains is the memory

A day on the beach

A thousand little details that had woven a web around me

Gone

Was it all just an illusion?

A strange dream that had morphed into a nightmare?

Only time will tell.

But I do know this: I've kicked the habit.