Don't Be Like This

She stood slowly drying the dishes with one of the towels he'd bought her as a housewarming gift.  Once bright with happy daisies and cows, it was now faded and tattered. She felt that way some times. He'd made her feel this way. Perhaps not on purpose; but as she watched him, she wished things could have been different for them; better.  He sat stoically under her favorite willow tree; his back to her, staring at nothing in particular.  She moved quietly around the small kitchen and put together a little picnic to cheer them.  Collecting his favorite wine, adding some of his best "snicky snacks" as he called them to her little basket, she then went up stairs to put on his favorite dress.  Fussing and primping, a lovely yet fatigued woman finally stood at the back door ready to join him.  She stepped out on the porch and began out across the yard, almost nervously.  If only today could be different.


He didn't move as she touched his shoulder. Preferring instead to sit silently as she unfolded the blanket and laid out the goodies.


"I packed your favorites." her voice was soft and light; filled with hope while smoothing the blanket and laying out their picnic of little cakes and warm bread with fresh mozzarella and fruit.  She uncorked the wine and poured, setting his down in front of him.  He did not take it, nor did he respond to her chit chat.


"Don't be like this." she sighed heavily and scooted up next to him.  She gingerly placed her arm along his broad back and rested against his shoulder.  It was uncomfortable and awkward, but she did it Her hand twisted absently at the grass, wishing he would do nothing more than turn to her and smile or simply reach for her hand.  She looked in  the direction of his gaze, trying to rediscover the silence and beauty of their lake, their little piece of heaven that was once so precious to them both now only serving as an impassible barrier. The sun was getting drowsy, heading for the soft horizon of trees that lined the other side of the lake. The clouds were giving off their boldest and brightest attempts at romantic encouragement with dramatic pinks and velvety purples.  It gave little comfort to her and did not change his stony expression.


"Kids'll be heading off to school soon  I finally got their lists together.  Nothing like waiting til the last minute.  Typical me." she chuckled dryly, sipping from her glass. She rolled it in the sun,and watched as the prisms danced in the remaining light. "Ohhh Honey. I wish you wouldn't be like this.  I wish you would just talk to me. Neither of us is happy like this." her sigh spoke of countless efforts to raise his voice, to get him to respond in any way. He didn't budge; only sat and stared.


The wine made her body warm in spite of his frigid insistence. She stretched out on the blanket and reminded him of their happier days.  She giggled about how they had snuck out on to the dock that first night, making love passionately and falling asleep beneath a million blushing stars. She teased him about how he'd jumped and screamed like a little girl the first time he saw wild turkeys strutting across the grass, convinced they were carnivorous.  She even reminded him of the fun they'd had swooshing down the hill on the toboggan in the dead of winter laughing so hard and long their tears froze. Frustration and disappointment were her rewards accompanied by his indifference.  She asked him his opinion but to no avail. He ignored her. She yawned, twisting the stem of her glass.  His remained untouched.


"You still won't budge?" she clipped with the first hint of anger.  Her movements were more crisp now showing her displeasure. As she picked up, she flipped the blanket, not caring whether or not the crumbs bothered him.  She plucked the final cracker from her dainty unnoticed plate and snagged it between her teeth, not offering the last bite and polished off the last dribbles of wine.  "I hate this silence between us.  It feels like it goes on forever." she pleaded at last. She knew he wouldn't change.


She kissed his granite cheek, leaving her tears and a little more love next to his stone.  Alone, she walked back to the house. The willow tree bowed sadly in the breeze.  Its thin whispy fingers reaching for her, unable to tell her she was beautiful and it was unfair or that their life together was precious and missed.  No matter how it stretched to tickle her leg or capture her attention, it was unable to make his absence softer on her heart.





Something short and simple.  I hope that you liked it.  Thank you for coming over.  It seems like forever since we've spent any time together.  Not so long next time, okay?