A man walked into another mans lawn in search of his girlfriend, who spet her time ther with her best friend. In front of the house, however, was the man who lived in the house. He sat crosslegged, staring at the road.
"Good Morning," Stated the man looking for his girlfriend. "Do you happen to know where May is? I hear she spends much time here."
"I do not wish you ill, friend, but understanding." Says the sitting man, not turning.
"I'm sorry? What do you mean?" Asks the first man, startled.
"I am watching the heat dance on the black stripe because Pain and Love are synonyms now." Continues the other, still not moving. The first sighs and sits beside him.
"Pain and Love were always close, with one often following the other. For seven years, one or the other were our gifts to eachother. Seven years, Romance has grown its seed. But the seed had no shell, and withered with every winter.
"Again and again Romance grew its seed, but time and again, we failed to build its shell. And with each failure, it died and was made to begin anew.
"This summer, I unwittingly grew Love, and so also Pain. And Hope, the final component in Romances shell.
"But just as the shell was solidifying, as it neared completion,she began to fear. She feared for her friendly ship, feared its own withering with the completion of Romances shell. And so, the poison of Fear killed Romance, and kept it once again from completion.
"And I fear too. I fear that without the shell, Jealousy will come to us, and trample my spirit. I fear to find her with Sorrow. I fear that this may have been our last chance to complete the growth, to break the cycle, before Fate brings it down about our heads."
The first man stood. For the whole story, the second man had not moved from his position, staring at the road in the manner of a distinguished gentleman watches a play.
The first man cleared his throat nervously. "Ahem. Well. If yoou'll excuse me, I'm going inside..."
"I wish you luck, friend. I Hope the shell you build is not as hollow as I Fear."
The first man tipped his hat and went inside. The second man continued to stare at the road, a single tear running down his cheek.