The Edge Of Goodbye

Sitting together, on the edge of the bed, she felt the weight of his body rise off the mattress, as he stood. His arm slightly brushing hers.

She remembered a time when the brush of their skin, sparked an unbelievable passion. Unknown depths of desire, delved into moments of pure bliss and unimaginable love. She smiled through her tears, as she watched him move away from her.

The loneliness consumed her, as the loss of their connection, began to feel more like sandpaper on concrete. Leaving only emptiness and benign expressions behind.

She reflected on all of the beautiful words that were once spoken in love, lighting her way in the darkness, that now had been replaced by screaming.

Remembering the fights, they battled together and against one another, in an effort to save or defend, the ones used to uplift and affirm. Both given for encouragement and sacrifice, became the very ones that haunted her now. The myriad of words, swirling in her head, just out of reach.

She smiled, recalling the laughter and secrets they shared and confided, that now burned like stinging snow on virgin skin. Leaving its mark of disappointment and failure, like blood, spattered on the ground.

Speechless and mute, they disassembled what was left of the world they had built together.

Promises and dreams escaped from her grasp, leaving her fingers and spirit limp.

She watched him in silence, as he opened the closet, collecting the suitcase, she bought him in the weeks before their honeymoon. Such joy they felt as they planned and schemed their lives together. Such hope and expectation, now bleeding into the reality of goodbye.

She wept, as she saw him brushing the tears from his eyes, sorting through the pictures they collected over the years. Creating two separate piles, for their new separate lives.

Room by room they silently divided the items they had employed; ones meant to hold together and protect this special connection they had discovered. However, life had other plans.

Promises dropped like rose pedals onto the floor of heartache. Leaving them to be crushed by the weight of wayward feet. Conversations became mundane and trite. The cancer of division had already destroyed what they never believed could be destroyed.

Drawer by drawer, uncovering the memories they had collected, cutting deeper the separation they could not escape.

Bitterness and sadness mingled with hurt and despair, until no words could possibly break the silence they had created.

Combing through the most personal places, memories of who they had been as they met, becoming what the other needed. Happily making the changes necessary to build a life together.

The struggle of loss overwhelmed her as she discovered they were losing more than a mate, but a partner and friend. But also losing the trust and hope that there will ever be another as close.

Quietly agreeing that death may have been an easier avenue than the crossroad they have found themselves on.

Being left and broken by choice, had become their undoing. What words could be said?

She signed the neatly prepared papers that he left for her on the counter, next to the solid gold band she had presented him years ago, on their wedding day.

She held the door for him as he carried the last of his chosen belongings to his car, running in the driveway, making his getaway complete.

The taillights of his car, said all there was to be said.