You'll know.

You'll know you're in love with somebody when his happiness becomes water to your mouth, washed against your dry palette like a flood.
Perhaps you'll know when your heart tells you so. Or when it beats against your ribcage with more force than any charge of blood might render.
I don't know.
Maybe you're in love when you find you believe in love at last, even though you had convinced yourself you never would again.
Maybe it's love when you bicker and disagree; but, without fail, come to terms with each other with equal grace and mutuality.
Perhaps you'll know when you laugh together. You'll know even better when you cry together. That takes courage.
You'll know when you're washing up after dinner. When you're lying beside each other in bed, staring at the ceiling, thinking about cabbages and royalty. When you're watching television and the remote is up for grabs. When he opens the door for you, or holds your hand when you cross the road, or lets you walk on the safe side and he on the right. You'll know when he smiles, because he reserves one for you.


You'll know.

this town just ain't right without you in it

I'm afraid that I'm not sure of a love there is no cure for
I think I love you isn't that what life is made of - the partridge family

when you live in a small town romance is different. it's long-lasting. it is meant to be destined, pre-supposed. your parents had their sights set for this union since birth.

it's the comfortable cushiony love story, right?it all works out and they fall in love; they're madly in it, too...until the girl goes off to college or the boy decides he'd rather not settle down just yet and rows a boat to cuba. small town love affairs are what make the modern american romance novel.

but what happens after?

you find yourself going to the same old grimy bar for that same old grimy drink. you know the same bunch of faces, although they've aged some bit. they remember her, when she was with you, and how you'd be there together. but now there's only one round and it's for you. and you stay awake into the small hours thinking about her. this town just ain't the same when she's not there.