The Truth About Gravity: Chapter Three
A Fictional Story
Janice walked home, reflecting on the conversation that she
had with John. It had been years since she had seen him and she still couldn’t believe
that he was married and established. Back in the day, John had been a party boy.
The only thing that he cared about back then was who he was going home with and
how strong the drinks were. After talking to him today, Janice had learned how much
a person could change. Not only was John married but he was sober and trying to
have a child of his own.
It was odd to think that someone could dream up something so
big so late in life. Janice had practically given up on having dreams of her own
when she turned forty. She had figured that there was no point. She didn’t know
how long she had left to enjoy life, and she certainly didn’t want to bring a child
into the world so late or make other decisions where she might not be able to fulfill
the responsibilities. Nevertheless, after seeing the excitement that John had for
life and how happy he was with his partner, she wondered if she had sold herself
short.
Maybe it wasn’t her age that was holding her back from achieving
new dreams. Maybe it was her attitude. Maybe life wasn’t just about getting by.
She had heard someone say that everyone should live life to the fullest, and though
she wasn’t quite sure what that meant, she wondered if that was what she had been
missing. Even when Cheryl was alive, she had been careful. Janice had tried to do
everything by the book. She had gotten a good job. She made enough money to buy
a house, and she had meant the woman whom she thought that she was going to spend
her life with. Sure, once in a while, she was inspired to try something new or go
on a trip to a place that she had never seen, but she was a realist. She knew that
money didn’t grow on trees, and she understood that trips and other luxuries were
only temporary. Besides her sister had been envious about how she lived once or
twice so she must be doing something right.
But now as Janice walked alone on the street with no one to fill
her ears with conversation, she wondered if she had just been passing opportunity
by. If she had picked up a hobby, she would have something to do with all of her
extra time. If she had allowed herself to dream, she might have other sources of
excitement to fill her empty heart with, and if she had focused more on her ambitions,
her life might not have been so void at this point.
“Please, God,” she whispered under her breath as the sun began
to set. “Please give me the strength to move on.”
Even as she said those words, she could feel the guilt flow through
her and a tight ball of nausea develop in her stomach. She felt bad about wanting
to move on. She felt like she was betraying Cheryl, but she knew at this point that
the guilt that she had in her heart about trying out new things, could never outweigh
the lack of enthusiasm that she had about life. Janice was like an empty vessel,
sailing aimlessly across the waves of the ocean. She had no path, no purpose, and
she knew that if she didn’t find one soon, she would wither away, spending her last
days alone with a broken heart.
About the Creator
Nicole Higginbotham-Hogue
Nicole Higginbotham-Hogue is a lesfic author at amzn.to/36DFT2x. Sign-up for her newsletter at higginbothampublications.com
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