Oppressive. Like my life. What happened to the girl that had the world at her fingertips? I can't recall the last time I felt alive, free. Looking at my reflection in the mirror, there is no help or hope for this face. It is so hot and has been for days. No breeze, only a soup of humidity. What does it matter? He will only complain about what I am wearing, to tight, too boring, never appropriate. The him I am talking about is my husband. Always perfect, he can do no wrong. We used to be a team, a force to be reckoned with. Everyone's golden couple. We thought we were the golden couple too and along the way we woke up from this dream, it disappeared and was replaced with a nightmare. Now most days when I look at him he is a stranger, a stranger who lives amongst us. Tonight will be no different. We will both put on our best clothes, and wear our best smiles but inside I will be screaming. Perfection has become our prison and expectations have become our captors.
It is steamy, the church doors are open to let in the non-existent cool air. Fans flapping back and forth like a concerto moving the hot air. I can't be bothered. If I don't move then I don't feel the heat.
She is beautiful but she doesn't know it anymore. I love her as much as I did the day I told her right here in this very church that I would love her for forever before God, before everyone. I remember how we used to be unstoppable. The lazy days we would spend together and those steamy nights when she would beg me for release and I was her everything. I have lost my way. What happened to us?
I look up and catch him staring at me. I wish I could read his mind. Lead him back to me. I raise my eyebrows questioning his stare. He smiles that crooked little smile. The one that was meant only for me. The one that made my heart skip a beat every time, even now. I feel a soft touch on my hand and look down. He rubs his finger gently over my knuckles and takes my hand in his hand, gently squeezes. I feel shivers down my neck and arms. I have goose bumps. I realize there is now a breeze, cool air, gently plays with my loose hair. I hear a distant rumble of thunder. The spell is broken. That moment in time stitched is now unraveled.