Rekindled: A Strawberry and Marshmallow Story

A Knock

It's a simple day. A day like any other, except Strawberry and Marshmallow have been together for 10 years. In the kitchen, Strawberry is in the fridge pulling out food for a meal when Marshmallow walks in and leans against the counter.

"We need to talk," Marshmallow says plainly. A chill runs down Strawberry's spine. Four words that no one in a relationship wants to hear. He closes the fridge and turns to face Marshmallow.

"I'm ready to have a conversation. What would you like to talk about?" Strawberry asks, kind of nervous. Trying to act confident but his hands are shaking.

Marshmallow takes a deep breathe and says, "It's been ten years since we've been together. I want us to talk about progressing our plan for having children."

"Children? I don't know if we're ready for that. I don't think I'm ready for that. I don't think I would be a good father." Strawberry starts to go grim. "I don't even know what a good father looks like."

"Sweety," Marshmallow pulls a small smile as she approaches Strawberry, "I understand your hesitations, but I have seen firsthand how great you are with children. I wouldn't be mentioning this if I didn't think that we are ready." Strawberry seems to have lost himself in the conversation. Shutdown, the productivity of this conversation no longer exists. Marshmallow pulls Strawberry into a hug and tells him, "We can continue this conversation later. I want children sooner rather than later but we can put this conversation on pause until you're prepared."

"I'm sorry that I'm not prepared now," Strawberry says holding onto Marshmallow. Silence looms over the kitchen. Strawberry hasn't moved from his corner, food sits on the counter, Marshmallow lets go of Strawberry. Almost as if time has stopped, this relationship seems frozen in time. In some aspects there are no issues, in others, two people are headed in opposite directions. Rather, one ready to move forward while the other doesn't know exactly where to start. The odd pairing doesn't exactly know what to do from here except wait.

Knock knock

They wait. The knock that lingers in the air could mean anything, but it would require them to move.

Knock knock

The knock was real. It's time to move. "I'll go get it," Marshmallow says. All Strawberry can do it turn back around to the ingredients on the counter. It's time for dinner.

Marshmallow goes to answer the door and is met by a face that's a blast from the past. "Long time no see Marshy."