Second

They came into this world together, knowing it would not be the case the way out.

Didn't matter their ages would always be conjoined. One would always be older, and one would always be taller. They spent a life re-measuring that pinch of minutes between them, debating every inch that came and then went.

But they knew, somehow, when it all ended, they would be together. It needn't be said.

Until the time came and it wasn't so.

For it happened so suddenly, in the night.

And though she was older and taller (still!), she was now the second. So with patience and grace, she waited. While in silence, she begged, begged for death. To never have been the second.