Goodbye
This is really happening. Her heart started pounding a little faster, she started to shake her leg nervously. Just months ago this was a thought, something not even clearly visible in her sight. Now as her eyes dart back and forth, taking in all the scenery outside the car windows, drinking in her city for the last time, (the song "This city, is my city, and I love it and I love it" starts playing in her head.) Some anxiety ebbs away. Replaying how all this came to be in her mind, she is reeling at the fact that she is currently in route to the airport. Looking at him from the corner of her eye, she tries to read his body language. Disappointed, but hopeful. Heartbroken but full of promise. Hesistate but yet eager. Anxious, but ready. She thinks back to another time when they were having problems. This particular night, as she walked away from the car, her husband jumped out of his SUV and ran behind her, turned her around, kissed her passionately, held her tightly - at that point she knew "one day" just not right now. This time she looked behind her as she walked up and down the roped aisles to go through Security Check at the airport, he wasn't coming after her. Matter of factly, he had not even stayed to watch her total exit. Done, they are parting ways, she is moving to another state all together, all in a matter of months. "Silence IS an answer", I'd like to add to that, it's also a soft, kindhearted answer. He never gave an explanation, he never gave any assurance at all, he let her walk away into a new life, one where "they" don't exist in. A man caused her to do what she has feared, what she thought she'd never do, a woman lost in herself and in the world now free to rebuild and press restart. Bittersweet, sadness washes over her as she takes that one last look back as she places her belongings on the conveyor belt. He's standing there, he came back. Is that a tear? Is that regret in his eyes? He raises his hand to wave, she gives a half smile, a pit rising deep within starts making it's way to the back of her throat as it starts to tighten, tears sting as they gather in her eyes, she turns away just as the tear falls. Exhales, walks through the scanner, picks up belongings on other side and starts making her way to her departing gate. So this is how it ends, no closure, just ends, no words, no parting sentiments, just a wave and a half smile and a questionable end.