"I have tried simply to write the best I can. Sometimes I have good luck and write better than I can." -Ernest Hemingway

“The only living works are those which have drained much of the author's own life into them.” –Samuel Butler

Monday, June 13, 2011

Rebuilding Broken Walls


            Tears gushed from Annie’s eyes as anguish filtered through her bloodstream.  She stared at the departing form growing smaller with each passing second and felt fresh tears fill her eyes.
            The full moon cast its pure light onto the heartbreaking scene as the stars glittered brilliantly in the midnight sky, mocking Annie with their twinkling pleasure. Annie’s golden hair flew with abandonment around her head, dancing in harmony with the vicious wind.
            Annie glanced one last time at the back of the shadowy figure before he was engulfed in darkness and she reflected on what had transpired only moments ago…
            John lightly tugged Annie along to their favorite spot in the park, overlooking the shimmering water.  It was at their favorite time: when the sun had set to reveal the moon’s splendor. Hand in hand, they strolled along the concreted path, enjoying the cool evening air.
            Despite the blissful beauty of the night, Annie could sense something was consuming John’s thoughts, making him withdrawn and cold.  Annie lightly squeezed John’s hand to drag his attention from his musings.
            When John looked up from his distracted daze, Annie inquired as to what was bothering him, “John, you’re very distant tonight. What’s been on your mind?”
            After a long pause where John just blankly stared at Annie with an unidentifiable emotion flaring behind his eyes, John suddenly blurted, “We need to go our separate ways.”
            “What?!” Shock rose within Annie and rapid thoughts were running through her head. What did I do wrong? ... Was it me? ... What brought this about? ... I thought our relationship was going so well! …What happened?
            “I said, we should break up.” John’s words grew with intensity as if he were gaining more courage to say each one as the drama unfolded.
            A quietly whispered, “why?” was all Annie could manage to choke through her growing numbness.
            “Annie, this has been fun but we need to face reality. We just aren’t meant to be together.” John’s words burned in Annie’s ears. She wanted to protest further but John slowly turned away and callously ended their relationship with, “Goodbye, Annie.” Then, he slowly walked out of her life.
            Tears flooded Annie’s glistening blue eyes once again.  Her knees finally gave out and she crumpled to the ground.
            Minutes passed where Annie couldn’t gather enough strength to end her constant flow of tears and her regret overwhelmed her mind. I never should have let him get so close. I shouldn’t have given him that power to wound me and, looking back, I can’t believe how stupid I have been to not see this inevitable end coming!
            Anger, at allowing herself to be so vulnerable, filled Annie and brought about another round of tears.  Her carefree hair clung to the wet tear-stains on her face until Annie reluctantly decided to dry her face.
            When Annie realized her tears were finally spent and the emotionless numbness was setting in, she started the tedious task of rebuilding the walls of protection around her heart.
            As an empty, hollow shell, Annie gathered what strength she could muster and started her long, lonely trek to seclusion.

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