Love Story

They had nothing to say to each other. Everything had already been said. She got up from the chair and walked out of the room. He sat there with his head in his hands trying to figure out what had just happened. How had they gotten to this point? Why had he said what he said and how long had she been feeling that way? Were things really that bad?

She was shaking as she walked out of the room. She didn’t look back, couldn’t look back. Doing so would be a sign of weakness, remorse, and regret. She couldn’t let him think that she was sorry for any of what she had said. She wasn’t. She had meant every word. Enough was enough and now there was no turning back.

He got up from the sofa and walked towards the window with his hands in his pockets and looked out into the street. The street lamps were on now. It had grown dark since it all began. How could the world go on when his was apparently coming to an abrupt halt? The lovebirds in the cage continued to chirp softly to each other and the cat was still curled on the chair in the corner napping soundlessly. Did they understand what was happening?

She walked into the kitchen and poured herself a drink. She sat on the barstool and looked at the uneaten supper on the stove. It’s been sitting there too long, for hours. She’d have to throw it out now. She turned to look out the kitchen window and saw a light go out at one of her neighbors. Could they hear them? Did they have any idea of what had been going on? What was their next step now?

He continued staring out the window and watched as the neighbor’s cat walked across the street. Probably looking for a mouse. He turned away from the window and walked across the room to look at the photos on the shelves. He picked up the one of them at the beach two years ago. Things were so different then. He eyes began to well up. How could things have changed so?
She finished her drink and placed the glass on the counter. Running her hand through her long hair, she gave a long sigh, got up and walked toward the hall. She passed by the living room where he was standing and saw him looking at the photo. She stopped and watched. He didn’t even notice. She continued to watch as he put the photo back on the shelf, his hand slightly shaking and wiped his eyes. Watching him made her heart well up and she gasped.

He heard a noise behind him and quickly turned around. She was standing there watching him. How long had she been there? He stood there frozen then felt compelled to go towards her. She made a move to walk away, but stopped. He walked towards her. Instead of taking off, she began to move towards him too. They met in the middle of the room, near the sofa and chair where it all took place, near the sleeping cat in the corner chair, near the softly chirping lovebirds and held each other.
“I’m sorry.”