Patrice: "Hey."

Drake: "Hey there. How are you?"

"I hate that, you know."

"Hate what? I just asked how you were."

"Like a stranger. You shouldn't have to ask me how I am."

"What? That doesn't make sense, love."

"Don't say that word that way. It sounds like you mean it."

"Say what -- say love? I do mean it. You know that."

"I hardly know you at all anymore."

"Of course you know me."

*shaking of head* "No."

"You've known me for a long time."

"I used to know you. Or I used to think I knew you. Not anymore."

"Why, what's changed?"

"You."

"I haven't changed that much."

"You have changed completely. Or if you haven't changed, then I never did know you."

"You did. You do."

*shaking of head again* "No. And even if I did, you don't really want me anymore. You probably never did, just that I was there and you were lonely. You always wanted someone, something, I'm not."

"See? How can you analyze me like that and then claim you don't know me? It's completely contradictory."

"It doesn't matter."

"Then why are we talking about it?"

"Because I'm leaving you."

"What? No, please, you don't mean that."

"I mean it. Whichever way. Either I don't know you, or I know you and I know I'm not part of your life, anymore if I ever was."

"Neither one is true. You're very important to me."

"Why?"

"What do you mean, why?"

"Why am I important to you? What is important about me to you?"

"Because I love you, that's why."

"If you loved me, you'd notice me. You wouldn't say 'how are you?' But you never think about me. You only make time for me when I pester you to. I'm like your appendix or something. Completely irrelevant except when I'm being a pain."

"I think about you a lot."

"You don't. You completely ignore me, and to me that says you don't need, want, or really love me. Not in a way that's important. So, I'm leaving. We'll both be better off."

"None of this is true. You aren't giving me a chance to make my case at all."

"Make your case, then."

"I think about you a lot, I love you, and I want you to stay."

"...is that it? That's your case?"

"We've been together for so long, through so much, and things are finally good for us, so now you want to leave? Now is when you should most want to stay."

"You mean, things are finally good for you. Your life is perfect, just how you want it. And your perfect life doesn't have a place for me in it. I sit on the edge and watch you and wonder who the hell you are, and why you still bother with me. I have no idea why, and I don't care anymore. I'm tired of being an afterthought. I'm leaving."

"Have you found someone else? Is that what this is about?"

"Maybe that's what made me see what was going on -- something to compare it to. No, that just makes it too easy on you. You hope I've found someone else. Then I'm not your responsbility anymore, right? Easy out for you."

"What? Does that mean there's someone else or not?"

"There could have been. But I'm not over you enough yet to let there be. That's why I'm leaving. I need to get over you so I can find someone who does want to share their life with me."

"Then, if that's really what you need, go ahead. I'll miss you, love."

"See? You're relieved. Fine, enjoy your life, it'll be better without me, I guarantee it."

"I am not relieved! I was trying to be selfless about it. But, have it your way. Maybe someday I'll think of a way to prove to you I still love you and always have. I know I haven't been very good for you. I was hoping that since things got better for me I could make you happy now, but obviously I haven't. I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry, too." *long look, then turn, glance back over shoulder* "Goodbye."

*stare, unshed tears in eyes* "Goodbye."