I showed up early to work on some homework, she showed up 5 minutes late and looked like shit. Her hair was in a low pony and she wasn't wearing any makeup, her shirt had a stain. She looked exhausted and like she had been crying. She saw me and said I looked good, but really she meant I looked put together.
I ordered an iced caramel macchiato and so did she, I paid and picked a table by the window. She asked me how life was, I told her it was good. She asked what I was up to, and I said I was busy with work and school. She was surprised and glad to hear I was able to go back.
I asked her how she was, and she said she was ok. I told her I knew she wasn't and that I knew things were tough. Tears welled up in her eyes and she smiled and said she really was ok. I asked her what was going on and she said it was a rough patch but they would make it through, I smiled and said I knew she would. She asked what that meant and I told her the pain wouldn't last forever. She said thank you, and I knew she really meant it.
We talked for a while before she got a text asking her when she would be home and what she was making for dinner. I wanted to tell her that she should tell him to figure it out himself, but knew she wouldn't. I told her I had to get going and she said "me too". I told her I was so proud of her and that she would figure it out eventually.
She hugged me as we left, and I told her I loved her. She went home and I thought about her all night, wondering if I should have told her about what was going to happen in the next couple of months but knew nothing I had to say would change anything.
She got home and was greeted with "what are you making for dinner? I'm hungry" while he was in the other room playing video games. She looked through empty cupboards and found tomato soup and made grilled cheese sandwiches with bishops store house bread and cheese. She finished dinner, made him a plate and took it to him while he played games. He yelled "SHIT! Get him, get him, get him" and started eating. She made her own plate and turned on the tv to watch while she ate and wondered how much longer it would be like this. She hoped that things would eventually get better.
It was only a matter of time before she decided she was done and she'd had enough. I thought that time couldn't come soon enough.
