She sat on the couch, as close as a whisper and as distant as a dream.

She possessed an unaffected laughter that called attention to a slight glint in her eyes that, while always there, always shone brighter in moments of happiness. A slight, incandescent glow surrounded her, brightening the dimly lit room. If she knew I was looking, the glow would have been lost. I’d steal glances when I could, trying to be subtle but sensing each look delivered with jackhammer-like force. Better to keep the warmth at arm’s length.

If you get too close, you get burned.