Splinters and Milkshakes

He gingerly swept the gold, silky strands from her eyes, placed a kiss upon her forehead, and walked away forever.  She felt her insides instantly implode.   Never has she felt such an excruciating feeling.  She does not recall a time when he wasn’t part of her wretched little world.  What was she to do now?   Anything.  She will realize in a few months, after sleepless nights and consuming too much alcohol, that he held her back.  It is unfortunate how we realize in hindsight that a relationship oppressed us, as they try to clip our wings and we bash our frail bodies against the cage walls.  But, just like captured birds, we eventually accept the severely restricted space betwixt the wires and acquiesce into a solemn existence.  Once she allows the sun to rise in her view again, she will spread her wings and fly like she was always meant to do.