I left that day to see you
As I'd often done before
I didn't think the night would end
Much different than before

We'd probably go dancing
Or maybe to a show
We'd sit and talk about our lives
And then I'd have to go

It started out as usual
We sat and reminisced
Catching up on all the things
That, while apart, we'd missed

We waited for the others
And when they had arrived
We settled all the details
Then started on our drive

We went out to a college dance
You'd heard about at school
But when we had arrived
There was nothing much to do

There weren't many people there
So we just sat outside
We drank and talked about the past
And other things beside

The others had to go
And so we stayed for just a spell
But then we soon decided
Maybe we should go as well

We headed back to your place
Since I had to take you home
And then I thought that I would leave
I felt so all alone

When we finally got to your house
I was drunk and quite depressed
You said that I should stay the night
That I could use the rest

At first I didn't want to stay
And so, my keys you took
You put them in a place
You knew that I would never look

Then, finally, we went to bed
We didn't stop to think
We gave in to our needs
Our minds befuddled by the drink

I don't regret what happened
For you know just how I feel
You know, dear, that I love you
But, with this, I cannot deal

I'd hoped that if this happened
(I suppose, now, I'll say when)
I'd hoped it would be special
Not an act we must defend

I don't want to make excuses
For soemthing that I've longed
But you say that things just happen
And this talk you won't prolong

You asked if I had problems
With what happened on that night
But my feelings were so churned and swirled
I shied away in fright

But now that I've had time
To contemplate the way I feel
Again, I say I don't regret
But this I must reveal

We said this couldn't happen
On one starry, moonlit night
You said our friendship was too strong
That it just wasn't right

So I buried it inside of me
I'd have to learn to cope
But deep inside my heart of hearts
I'd never give up hope

But now that this has happened
Should I just let it go?
You don't have to answer that
For in my heart, I know

We were meant to be best friends
No more, and never less
I just wasn't meant to feel
Your soft and sweet caress

And so, my dearest Janet
This concludes my little note
And now, I hope you'll understand
The feelings I must cope

But, as I'm sure you know, my love
You'll never be alone
For if you have a problem
Just pick up the telephone

I'll always be there for you
Right on through the very end
For that is what it's all about
Our being best of friends

 

For: Janet Alpern
May 4, 1990