When reading the book, The Time Traveler's Wife, I was always struck by how Clare dealt with the separation from Henry she was forced to endure because of his condition. I love the way that, even though she knew he wouldn't always be there for her, she still believed in him until the very end. In this piece, Clare wakes up to find Henry's alarm wailing non-stop, but no Henry.
She experiences confusion, worry, and anger (I'd personally call it emo-ness, but Clare's not emo XD) at the situation. She admits to herself that she blames Henry a little bit for his disappearing act, that she's never really okay with it. But in the end, she's just overly relieved to have him safe at home.
Because that's all Clare really wants-- just Henry in the here-and-now.
False Alarm
……BeepBeepBeep……
It's about 7 am, and I'm still trying to catch those few last Z's before I have to wake up and make breakfast.
……BeepBeepBeep……
Isn't that Henry's alarm? Why hasn't he gotten that yet?
……BeepBeepBeep……
I reach over to Henry to tell him to get his alarm, but then I realize. He must be gone again.
……BeepBeepBeep……
My hand slowly retreats back under the sheets. Where did he go to this time? Was it maybe to me in the Meadow? Or maybe it was to his mother's car crash…
……BeepBeepBeep……
He said he goes there a lot. Maybe he's somewhere out in the country.
……BeepBeepBeep……
I hope he's ok.
……BeepBeepBeep……
Not cold or hungry or hurt or lying somewhere in a ditch in the pouring rain.
……BeepBeepBeep……
God, why can't I go with him? Why can't I at least know where or when he is? Why must I always stay behind when Henry is forced to leave me?
……BeepBeepBeep……
It's not fair that my role in life is to wait patiently for his return, always with no knowing if he'll even come back at all.
……BeepBeepBeep……
What am I saying? He'll definitely be back. He has to come back. Any minute now…
……BeepBeepBeep……
Why is it always the women's job to sit dutifully and wait for her husband to return? Why is it that absence makes the heart grow fonder?
……BeepBeepBeep……
It's not your fault Henry, I know, but that's the one thing I resent about you.
……BeepBeepBeep……
You're always leaving me, even if it's never your fault.
……BeepBeepBeep……
I open my eyes to see that Henry is reaching for the SLEEP button.
……BeepBeepBe--
Thank God I think, and I fall back asleep hugging Henry.