She suddenly realised she might be alone for the rest of her life

She suddenly realised she might be alone for the rest of her life. Well, matter of fact, it hadn't been all that sudden, had it?

She wouldn't be alone by the strict definition of the word. More "lonely".

See, she had this realization while she walked with her boyfriend down the east side walkway of central park. His hand was in hers, the sun was bright and leaves twirled slowly down from the trees, as if they too wanted to listen to her conversation before they landed on the floor.

"i just don't get how something so 'weird' can be so important to you," he'd said, rather playfully, not intending any harm.

"But that's the point isn't it?" she responded. "What might be weird to you is perfectly normal to me." They had been speaking about their itinerary for the night. A rendition of Mahler's 2nd at the New York Philharmonic.

"I mean, the music's old," he said. "There are no words, it was written like a hundred years ago, and there's not even a performer. It's just some old guy waving a wand. What is that?"

It had all been good natured. He laughed as he said it. She laughed as well. But deep down, the feelings began. That lonely feeling.

It wasn't their first argument about her interests or the first time they disagreed about what was important and what was not. Nor was it the first partner she'd had that didn't "believe" in culture and its importance like she did. But as time went on and partner after partner flitted through her life, she began to suspect, at least in her passions and interests, she'd be forever alone.