1/20/11

Love, in Life and Cinema
By Emma Eden Ramos


Justine dabbed at her eyes as she watched Greta Garbo collapse in Robert Taylor's arms. "Gets me every time," She said, staring down at her black stilettos.
Smiling sympathetically, Severin ran his fingers through his girlfriend's auburn hair. "It's nothing to be embarrassed about," he replied.
"What would you have done?" Justine began, regaining her composure. "If I were to die of Consumption, what would you do? "
The idea was so horrific that Severin had to inhale deeply before responding. "I," he stuttered. "I, I don't…"
"Because," Justine continued, after a moment's pause, "I wouldn't want you to suffer."
Severin leaned forward, making a fist and pressing it against his chest. The image pained him. Justine; he saw her gowned and jeweled, her hair in a halo of auburn ringlets. A drop of blood, red like the Shiseido lipstick she so loved, ran from the corner of her perfectly shaped mouth.
"I," Severin shook his head, trying to banish the image, "would have no choice but to suffer."
Resting her head on his lap, Justine kissed Severin's naked thigh. No longer able to contain his emotions, Severin let his tears fall on his loved one's face. He watched as the drops ran down the side of her cheek. We are as one, he thought. My tears, her face.


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My name is Emma Eden Ramos and I am a writer from New York City. My fiction has appeared in The Legendary, BlazeVOX and Down In The Dirt Magazine. I have pieces forthcoming in Yellow Mama and The Citron Review.