1st Story:
In silence they sat. This was not an uncomfortable silence, but one which they had not experienced together before.
Not so long ago silence had been serene, pleasant time spent holding each other hand watching the sunset , but there was nothing serene about this. Very little had changed between them, yet each seemed to understand that something was different and there was no value in their idlechit chat. In silence there was cowardice, but neither of them could find the words to bring the silence to an end. Finally he spoke.
When was it that I lost you ?Taken a back by the abruptness of the question, she replied almost on instinct.
“I…”
Her voice trailed off.
She had raised her head to speak, to defend herself against this assault, but found his eyes were already meeting her own. There was no malice, no rage in them, merely a look of quiet resignation. His tone was cold, as though all feeling had been drained out of him.
I have lost you, haven't I ?He stated this almost matter-of-factly, without really expecting a response.Is there somone else?
Her silence was deafening, the ticking of the clock and some children playing in the street all that could be heard.
She seemed to be expecting, almost hoping for him to berate her, to yell and scream and demand that she explain how she could do this to him. A part of her felt that she deserved it, yet that verysame part knew that he would not grant her this virtue.
He was too hurt to yell and too proud to beg her to come back. As he stared blankly at the floorshe vainly tried to catch his eye and ease his pain, but the eyes that staredback at her were cold with disdain
I am ...
Don't....
But I ....
Just don't......
As he walked slowly away, conscious of holding his head high he felt the urgeto scream.
Catching himself, he realized that anger would not heal him, nor would it help the situation. His only solace lay in her guilt, in the knowledge that her conscience would haunt her days, and that he would move on when at last the pain subsided.
