Conversation In The Dark

She said, "It's dark in here."

I said, "I know."

She said, "I can't see you, but I can hear you."

I said, "I know."

She said, "...you keep saying I know."

I said, "Yes, I know."

She said, "Can't you say something else?"

I said, "Well, I said Yes first that last time. What would you like me to say?"

She said, "I don't know."

I said, "Well, between the two of us, at least I know something."

She laughed a little bit.

I said, "At least you're laughing."

She said, "I can't really do anything else. It isn't like I can turn the light on or something."

I said, "I know."

She said, "Even if there were a light to turn on in here, I can't even see enough to fumble around and find it."

I said, "I know."

She was quiet for a minute and then she said, "You're really starting to annoy me with the I know part. If you're going to be stuck in here with me, can you please say something other than I know?"

I said, "Listen, you should be happy that I know. I've been here before. The darkness is thick and intimidating and there is nothing I can do to change that right now. I didn't make it dark in here, but I'm in here, my path brought me here, and until I can get my bearings and adjust my eyes enough to move around in these shadows and navigate my way out of here, there's nothing I can do, just like you said. The difference is, I already know this. Part of being alive is finding yourself in the dark from time to time. And the first time is somewhat terrifying, I know, but eventually something shifts. Eventually you either fumble your way to the light and turn it on yourself, or at some point the sun rises the same way it does every day and you realize that all this time you were sitting in here there was a slight glow to your left indicating a way out. I can't tell you when that will happen, but I know it will happen. I know for a fact the darkness doesn't last forever. There is always a light to follow somewhere, you just have to find it. And in a situation like this, the best thing to do is sit tight, calm yourself, and remember -- this too shall pass. The power goes out, but it always comes back on. The sun sets, but it always rises. You fall into the deep dark pit, eventually you climb back out. You're never stuck, not really, even if you feel like it. This I know. And if you want to disagree with me, well... where does that leave you? What choice does that give you? Other than give up and die here, it leaves you nothing. So... it's dark in here. You can't find the light. All you can do is sit here, back to back with me, the person you can't see but at least hear, and know two things: I know where you are and I know you're not alone."

She said, "I love you."

I said, "I love you too."

And we sat there, together, back to back, in the dark.