Exchange

There's two new items on your list.

Watches.

I took a closer look at one of them.  It has all the things you said you like in watch.  Analog.  White background.  Black numbers. Second hand.  And even an alarm.

And then that chest squeeze hit me.

I still remember you were showing me all the accessories you had.  Watches.  Rings.  Cuff links.  Everything I could imagine and more.  You had asked me to pick something to keep.

I hesitated, because I knew these were things dear to you.  How could I just take it from you?  But I knew why you offered and was touched.

Your offer meant a lot to me.  You were telling me that I was important to you.  You trusted me to keep your prized possessions safe.  You wanted me to take a piece of you and keep it close to me.  It was a subtle way for you to stay by my side.

You picked out a watch for me.  It was the first watch that you bought for yourself with the money you made from your first job.  Much more than I was ever deserving of.

In return, you asked for something of mine.  I didn't have much to give you.  I gave you a ring that I wore at the time.  I gave you another ring that I bought which didn't quite fit.  I gave you a bracelet that had my name engraved in it.  The rings didn't even fit your fingers, but you still wanted them.  The bracelet had my name on it and had a broken clasp, but you tried to wear it all the same.

For certain reasons, I had to give the watch back to you.  But you said that the watch would always belong to me.

What about now?  Is it still mine?  Would you still let me have it?

IMUL