Chapter 4
It was like a punch to the stomach, the wind was knocked out of me. As bad as things got, I never expected it to come to this. Separated. Separated. The word repeated over and over in my mind. Divorced. That’s what she meant by it. She was just trying to soften the blow, but it didn’t help at all. “Maria, you can’t mean this” I finally choked out.
“I’m sorry Taylor” she whispered before she burst out in tears and ran out of the room. For a moment I sat stunned. I honestly didn’t know how to react, whether I should be sad, or angry. Suddenly I felt suffocated. I had to leave, get out, and get away from the horrible reality of life.
I bolted out of the house and to my car. I jumped in and in seconds was peeling out of the driveway. I didn’t know where I was going, and I didn’t care. I just drove, trying to escape, but no matter where I went, I couldn’t escape. Separated. The word was still reeling in my head. I just couldn’t escape from it.
Suddenly I pulled over at the side of the road in a screeching halt. I got out and stepped onto the deserted highway. I walked around the car, and onto the barren land at the side of the road. Tipping my head up towards the sweltering dessert sun, I fell to my knees. Flood gates in my eyes broke, and I let the tears come, sobbing until I couldn’t sob anymore.
************************************************************************************************************
I pulled back up to Maria’s house just as dusk was settling in for the night. The first thing I noticed was Maria sitting on the porch. She came running toward me. “Taylor, where have you been, I’ve been so worried” she said as I stepped out of the car.
“I just came back for my stuff” I said disregarding her question. I brushed past her and went into the house to retrieve my bag, leaving her standing outside left in the dark.
When I returned outside I could barely look at her. I went straight to the car and threw my bad in the trunk. Just before I stepped in my seat I turned and looked at her one last time. She was holding a piece of paper toward me. I gave her a quizzical look.
“I know it’s cowardly of me to write a letter telling you why I’m doing this, instead of face to face, but I thought you should have this anyway” she told me.
I angrily grabbed the paper out of her hands. “Goodbye Maria” I said icily. With that, I got in the car and drove away.
I saved the letter until I was on a plane heading back to meet my family. Suspiciously, I glanced around, not wanting anyone to pay attention to me. When I was satisfied with my surroundings I quickly unfolded the letter and read.
Taylor
First of all I want you to know that I’ve always loved you, and I’m pretty sure I still do. I’m not doing this because I’ve fallen out of love. Its just that although I may still love you, I know I can not be with you anymore. You life is hectic, and I can’t take it anymore. All I can offer you would only hold you back from your career, and I couldn’t live myself if I took you away from your first love, your music. I’m needed here at home, and because of that I can not provide for you the way a wife should. I’m weary Taylor, I can’t take this anymore. I want a miracle to happen, to find a way to still be with you. But I know that can never happen. Not for you and me. For all these reasons and more I need to let you go. I apologize a thousand times that I let things go this far. I need you to know I will always think of you. I hope you will think of me too, and remember our fond memories, for that’s all they are.
Maria
I sighed miserably. “So that’s that” I thought to myself. “Well, it was fun while it lasted…”
