Last Kisses

David could vividly remember the last time he had kissed his mother. It had been at her funeral, years and years after the accident that had claimed her life. He was not sad then. Daddy had said that mom would be an Angel, and that it was not sad for her to go; that she would be watching over him. David remembered looking up at the moon at night, trying to see if he could find his mothers face in the contours of that celestial body.
***

The last time he had kissed his father was just before his fathers plane was due to take off. His father had promised to see him in a few days. But he never came. David cried for days.
***

When David met Ariana he had started smiling again. Not the false smile to placate people in general- especially his aunt and uncle who would have sent him to a therapist- but the true smile that he could remember from his early youth.

David was lost in his own thoughts, the plane ride was monotonous, and all he could do was think and remember. Letting his eyes slide closed, David allowed himself to remember the feeling of Ariana's lips against his, a whole world of sensation that was now a faint memory. He allowed briefly his mind to turn to the last time that he had kissed her. The scene played out in his mind like a film, slightly worn and faded.

It was raining, but that was not new; it always rained in Seattle. Ariana had told him that she wanted to pick up a new book, and not to wait for her, she would see him later that evening. She leaned in and gave him a brief but passionate kiss, one that held all the promise of the future. She waved as she got into her car and drove away.

David smiled at the memory and tried to pull his mind back, but could not stop the other memories from following. David winced visibly as he was forced to remember. Remember everything.

Ariana not picking up her phone, searching for her, finding her dying in that stinking alley.

David forced his eyes open, letting the memory fade, like his heartbeat, to a faint echo. He forced his mind back to the mission at hand.

One brief though flashed through his mind before he locked away all errant thoughts and memories.

That was the last time he had ever kissed anyone.