[ WP ] Write a short story or poem that begins and ends with same line

`` She makes me happy.'' 
 
 Those were the words Robert said when introducing her. It was the answer to every question. 
 
 `` Do you love her?'' 
 
 `` She makes me really happy.'' 
 
 `` Do you plan on getting married?'' 
 
 `` Of course, she makes me very happy.'' 
 
 He had never come clean and said, `` I love you, Lucille. I love you.'' And she needed that, like she needed variety and space and colors and corny, horrible horror movies. 
 
 `` Do you love me?'' Lucy asked, turning on the couch to watch her boyfriend. He was older than her, in his late 30s. He had stress lines, deep, around his mouth and eyes. He was so very serious. She could count the times he smiled on one hand. 
 
 `` You make me very happy,'' Robert said. 
 
 `` I know that,'' Lucy said. `` But do you love me?'' 
 
 `` What is the problem, Lucille?'' Robert asked, pausing the movie. It was some boring documentary. He always picked the movies. She suddenly felt ill. 
 
 `` Do you love me?'' Lucy said. 
 
 `` I appreciate you, I enjoy your company,'' Robert said. He took her hand and pressed it to his lips. `` Is that not love?'' 
 
 `` Why ca n't you just say it? I love you, Lucy. You make me so happy, Lucy. I love you! It's three fucking words, Robert.'' 
 
 She got off the couch and walked towards her bedroom. `` I'm tired now.'' 
 
 `` Lucille, please do n't do this now, you are n't usually like this...'' Robert said. 
 
 His tone made her bones brittle, made her feel old before her time. She was 28, she did n't need to settle for... for... This shit. 
 
 `` You either love me or you do n't,'' Lucy said. She reached into her pocket and pulled out a rubber band. Looping her red hair into a messy bun, she tried to pretend she was n't about to burst into tears. Robert said nothing. 
 
 `` Be honest with me,'' Lucy said. Her tone was pretty strong. She was impressed, but kept her chin level, her eyes unwavering on his rather plain face. She could not bring up the fondness she usually felt for him. It was gone, like the wind. 
 
 `` Love does n't have anything to do with what we have. We are friends, we are good together, you do make me happy,'' Robert said. `` Look at where love got your parents.'' He stood, holding out his hand to her. `` Let's finish the movie then we can eat. Let's talk this through. I am not like you, I am bad with emotions. I do care for you. I do want you.'' 
 
 Lucy felt her heart waver. 
 
 `` I was thinking about pizza,'' Lucy said. `` We can order it from Pizza Dragon.'' 
 
 `` I do n't think pizza counts as food. We had it last month, on your birthday,'' Robert said. `` You need a healthy diet of --'' 
 
 `` Wait,'' Lucille said. `` Are you implying I can not eat pizza without your approval?'' 
 
 `` I do n't think it is good for you,'' Robert said. `` At your age...'' He trailed off, watching her face turn red. 
 
 `` Get out of the house.'' 
 
 Robert stood motionless. `` What is the problem?'' 
 
 `` Get out. I'm getting pizza.'' 
 
 `` If it means that much --'' Robert tried to placate her. 
 
 `` Fuck you! Get out!'' Lucille said. 
 
 Robert gathered his things and left. He promised to call her at the same time tomorrow. He did n't seem too concerned about her outburst. It pissed Lucille off more than she would admit. Robert made her -- want to lose control. Slap someone. 
 
 Lucille did n't call Samantha, instead she went online and ordered a huge pizza, got a beer from the outdoor fridge, and called Daniela. She was over before the pizza arrived. 
 
 He even brought over a crude selection of action movies. 
 
 xxx 
 
 Robert called at 8 pm the next morning, after his weekly poker game and before he took his shower. Lucille did n't answer. He left a brisk message, sounding appropriately concerned. 
 
 He went to bed, slept well, and called in the morning before work. Again, Lucille did not answer. He wondered if he should go over or if she was working late. Sometimes she had to stay at work to help clean up the classrooms, if the children were extra messy. 
 
 He decided he would head over on Friday and they could watch a movie together. In the two years they had been dating, Lucille had never bailed on one of their movie nights. Except the time she went on vacation with her parents. Even then, she still called and talked to him. They watch the same movie on their laptops and talked about the plot. That had been nice. 
 
 They stopped doing that. 
 
 Robert smiled. Lucille was his future wife. He would pop the question, perhaps over pizza, and she would say yes. He knew she would. 
 
 Lucille was beautiful, smart, convenient, and he wanted her to be in his life. 
 
 He would ask her soon. Make her happy. She had n't seemed very happy lately. 
 
 xxx 
 Daniela had been sleeping in Lucy's guest room for almost a week now. Lucy did n't tell her exactly what happened, but Robert seemed to have outworn his welcome. couch for the last two days. Lucille had n't told her the problem, but she spent a lot of time crying over little things. She had filled a box with Robert's things and put it on the porch, with a note not to knock. 
 
 Robert arrived at his normal time, knocking twice. 
 
 Daniel woke up from her nap, blinking. `` Is that him?'' she asked. 
 
 Lucille nodded. 
 
 Daniela stood beside Lucy, taking her hand as the door opened. Robert was surprised to see Daniela, he had never really liked the girl. She had weird tastes and influenced Lucille in strange ways. 
 
 `` Daniela, what a pleasure,'' Robert said. `` I suppose you are just leaving.'' 
 
 `` No, Robert, you are. I am sorry, but I...'' Lucy said but tears made her unable to finish the sentence. 
 
 `` What Lucy means to say is, you're out bucko, on your ass, find a new girl.'' Daniela smiled brightly. 
 
 `` I doubt Lucille will --'' 
 
 `` I do n't want to see you again...'' Lucy said. `` I am tired of feeling like this.'' 
 
 `` So you are choosing this... whore over me?'' Robert said with distaste. 
 
 `` She makes me happy.'' 
 
 
 

