The Kite and the String

Summary

Julian Reed and I were childhood sweethearts. I had a stepfather, and he had a stepmother.

We depended on each other as we grew up. He said he liked to wander, so I wandered with him.

I thought we would be together forever.

Until, in that dilapidated rental apartment, I saw Julian shirtless with my own eyes, bending down to pick up another woman's underwear.

I asked him why. He didn't answer, just told the woman to get dressed and leave.

After a long time, he said he wanted freedom.

And I was his biggest lack of freedom.

The day he left, I gave him a kite.

I said, "I wish you freedom."