2. Luke
Luke
Iwatch her go. Not from the bedroom window where she left me, but from the kitchen window downstairs. I tried to follow her, but I only made it to the base of the staircase.
She’s right about everything, and she’s right to go.
It’s best that she goes now, too, before more years of loving each other make it harder.
I know she loves me. Her eyes told me so in every look she ever gave me.
In every brush of her skin against mine, every moment we spent together.
It was all saturated in love—so much of it that I thought we’d drown out the things that kept threatening to tear us apart.
Natalie has wanted children since the day we got married.
And she’d make a great mother, I know she would.
But it’s me who can’t stomach being a father.
The world isn’t safe. And children are just so delicate.
So dependent. I’m not ready for that kind of responsibility.
Natalie thinks having a baby is a sure thing, but I know it’s not. I’ve seen the harder side of it before.
And Natalie’s finally noticed that I probably won’t ever be ready to try.
Her white SUV backs slowly out of the driveway. My heart picks up speed, hoping she’ll change her mind.
“Turn around. Turn around. Look back at me,” I whisper, feeling my whole life slipping away. Without Natalie, I have no hope. No life. No future.
But the car shifts gears, red lights fading, and she drives slowly down the street. No brake lights. She doesn’t stop. And then she’s out of sight.
And I’m left with my empty house and broken heart.