She no longer remembers his face, but when she closes her eyes she thinks of him and smiles.

Once a crisp image shone in her mind. An image of dark hair falling loosely across his brow, eyes mysterious yet kind, broad shoulders, a solid jawline. Now that image has faded.

After four summers the picture began changing, sometimes so sharp she could see the lines around his eyes, at others unable to trace the shape of his ears. In such moments she wept, conjuring memories of being held in his arms. But she remained alone.

Later still her image of him decayed to a featureless shape. Though the form lacked expression she remembered its ways: smiles across rooms, necklaces on birthdays, breakfasts in bed.

Now, twenty years since she last saw him, even those events have retreated from memory. His name no longer connects with images or actions, moments in time or time spent together but simply emotions: security, confidence, peace, joy. His indelible mark the woman she became.

She no longer remembers his face, but when she closes her eyes she thinks of him and smiles.

Once a crisp image shone in her mind. An image of dark hair falling loosely across his brow, eyes mysterious yet kind, broad shoulders, a solid jawline. Now that image has faded.

After four summers the picture began changing, sometimes so sharp she could see the lines around his eyes, at others unable to trace the shape of his ears. In such moments she wept, conjuring memories of being held in his arms. But she remained alone.

Later still her image of him decayed to a featureless shape. Though the form lacked expression she remembered its ways: smiles across rooms, necklaces on birthdays, breakfasts in bed.

Now, twenty years since she last saw him, even those events have retreated from memory. His name no longer connects with images or actions, moments in time or time spent together but simply emotions: security, confidence, peace, joy. His indelible mark the woman she became.