Sentimental

By NationChild

Created on January 2nd, 2007

“Sorry,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.

There was no reply, only a great heaving of the shoulders.

She looked up. Great, grey clouds giving off a distinct and thunderous cry, filling ears with a strong sense of melancholy and desperation.

Slowly, as though it were waiting for the climax of their sad, mournful movie, the thunder clouds hesitantly shed big heavy tears. Soon there was rainwater everywhere. A few selected spots on the ground had no puddle for little kids to splash in later. The rain had come and gone. The sun had appeared, giving off a glow which seemed to penetrate the darkest of cellars.

But two figures remained standing, mourning.

He left a few minutes later, muttering apologies and saying he needed to think a while alone.

She watched him, clutching her jacket to her. She was cold, and the rain hadn’t done much good. Turning, she started the long, lonely walk back to her house.

Not bothering to take off her soaked shoes, she trudged into her kitchen.

Fixing herself a cup of peppermint tea, she spied something on top of her refrigerator.

They were old photo albums. Half a dozen, maybe. She’d probably put them up there, wanting to forget about them. She had. Until now.

Opening the delicate cover, she stifled a cry when she saw the first picture.

It was of their wedding, in a church, with a small group of friends and family members gathered around them.

Everyone was smiling. He, in the midst of laughing, looked handsome, with his arm through hers, his dimple showing.

She closed the album. She knew what the others were. They were of the six years they’d had together. Until they couldn’t stand one another a moment longer. They’d made up, at the wedding held for himself and his new love. But then, she died…

Resolving not to think about it any longer, she stowed the albums away for another time. Then, sneezing, she headed to her bedroom. And slept.