He sits next to me. I try to ignore him. He knows that I know he's there. But he just sits patiently next to me, waiting. His patience annoys me. It annoys me because I know he's going to win like he always does. But not today. Today, I will ignore him. Today, I will win.

He picks up the newspaper and quickly turns to the sports section first. Stereotypical? Yes. Sad? Yes. He's aware of it. But it amuses him. He takes a sip of his coffee. Occasionally, he makes small noises of satisfaction or displeasure. I am not sure he has a favorite sport, let alone sports team. I bite my tongue to keep from voicing my curiosity. I'm ignoring him.

Next, he'll read the comics, then the business and technology section. He is unfailing polite as he flips through the paper, as if he is trying to avoid attention. But we both know otherwise. He sits and waits for me while I ignore him. This is our little ritual. One time, I asked him what his favorite section of the newspaper was.

"Wedding announcements. And I enjoy reading about anniversaries. Really, the whole Lifestyle section."

In this moment he looked almost human. I was unprepared for his answer. I swore I could see a soul behind those black eyes. But in a flash, it was gone, and he quickly began his job.

Some days, I try to find a way out of this. It is not his company I am looking for. And some days, it is just too much for me and I am ready to succumb. I am in a delicate battle between fervently praying to defeat him and desiring to surrender. My prayers simply ask for an ending, I no longer care who wins.

I used to run whenever he came around. I used to run as far and as fast as I could. But he was always waiting for me whenever I stopped, a hand outstretched. He would have this amused expression on his face. I could never tell if he enjoyed the chase or not. As soon as he would appear again, I would take of running. Oh, how I ran! I ran so hard that I finally collapsed upon the ground. I laid there, eyes closed, gasping for breaths. After what seemed like a lifetime, I opened my eyes. He was waiting, hand open. And this time, I took it.

Now, I just sit. I don't have the energy to run anymore. He took that from me, as he takes everything. I sit pretending that I'm a thousand miles away. Pretending that I am happy. I close my eyes and I'm not here. That I am anywhere but here. I close my eyes and he's not here.

But, he is here. He always is here. As long as I am here, he too shall be. One cannot survive without the other.

He turns and looks at me. I sigh. He knows he has won again. I turn to look at him. He has his arms open wide. He knows, as he always seems to know, that no words are needed today. Something in my expression must tell him that he does not need to boast. I crawl into his lap. There is something comforting in his embrace. He does not need to voice this victory. But, as he lays his head upon mine...

A large grin spreads across his face.