Shattered Dreams
He watched her, looking for any sign that she might need him. He didn't want to intrude. Today was going to be the hardest day of her life!
Her face was difficult to read, he kept checking for any sign that she wanted to leave or that perhaps it was getting too much, but the mask never slipped. Her eyes looked harsh and cold, yet for a split second, as the priest read out their names the cold glare was replaced by an overwhelming look of warmth, tinged with pain and suffering, it was fleeting but it had been there.
He reached for her hand; Relief swept over him when she did not pull away. They stood together with him holding her hand long after everybody had gone. He made no noise he did not stir; neither of them did, he only released her hand as she moved toward the graves and place a single white rose on each of the tiny mounds that had appeared, he saw her lips move but he could not make out what she had said, she stepped away and slipped her hand back into his. He turned his head as a single tear trickled down her cheek, his heart lurched he wanted to do something, anything, he felt helpless, he reached over and gently wiped the teardrop from her face.
"Pamela, I think maybe we should go?" She turned her beautiful head towards him, their gaze held for a second, her face torn with anguish, she sighed deeply turned away again and headed towards the car. In doing so, her hand fell from his, he felt an instant loss, the connection was severed and he wasn't quite ready, he hung his head and followed behind.
"I can't face all those people John Ross, please give them my apologies."
"I told you before Pamela, I'm not leaving you until I know you're OK!"
"And I told you, that would be a long time!" Her voice cracked and she turned away. "Please John Ross, I need to be alone, I'll be OK just let everyone know I'm grateful but that I need to be alone." She turned back and reached over to squeeze his arm. "PLEASE!" She finished with a tender yet pleading tone.
"On one condition! You let me take you home first?" She looked over at him and gave the faintest of smiles.
"OK!" she whispered in a defeated hush.
He had expected some objection, but he got none, it was comforting that she had allowed him this one concession. But a part of him felt as if she had given up, as he studied her, he watched as she crumpled like a withered petal on a beautiful Rose, her shoulders rounded, her head bowed and all at once he could feel it, he could feel her slipping away from him and he didn't know what to do...