Memories
Jude ran.
It wasn't healthy for her to do so but she had to get away.
She finally stopped when she reached a diner to get out of the rain,
silently praying Tommy couldn't find her. She sat down at a small
abandoned booth in the back. After a few minutes a gray haired woman
came towards Jude. She could see the tear stains across her cheeks
and felt sorry for the girl. She reminded her of her granddaughter.
"You okay sweetie?"
Jude glanced up for the first time realizing
she wasn't alone. Quickly wiping her face with a napkin, she said "Thank you, but I'm not hungry." The lady nodded.
"How 'bout
something hot to drink. A small thing like you could catch a cold
from all that rain."
Jude looked up at her "Do you have tea?"
The lady smiled "Well of course we do honey. I'll be right
back" and patted her arm lightly. Jude smiled weakly "Thank you"
She looked down at her hands. Specifically her left hand. The
sapphire ring sparkled in the light.She fingered it, memories
flashing through her mind.
Flashback
Jude
looked down at Tommy's kneeling form. "Tommy? I..I.." "Say
yes" His eyes pleading hers. She covered her mouth with one hand
while reaching for him with the other. She pulled him up and kissed
him, a 'yes' dancing across her lips. Tommy smiled and spun her
around. When he placed her down, he placed the ring on her finger.
Jude smiled as she looked down at it. "A sapphire? Aren't
engagement rings usually diamonds?" She teased. Tommy smirked and
faced her. "Whenever you look at that ring, I want you to see what
I see when I look into your eyes." He pushed a lock of hair behind
her ear and gently whispered "Beauty"
End
Flashback
Jude
pulled the ring off and placed it on the table. She placed her head
in her hands and began to cry once again. "How could he?" The
waitress returned with a cup of hot tea and a slice of chocolate
cake. Jude opened her mouth to protest but the lady raised her hand
"It's on the house. Just call me if you need anything else."
She smiled. Jude returned the smile as best she could. The smile
almost reaching her eyes.
Almost.
She lost her reason for smiling.
Jude absently began to rub her stomach.
Nothing would bring it back,
not even the life growing inside her.