The DTR (a short piece)

He spoke the words she sensed were rapidly approaching. She tried and tried to deny the feelings developing in her heart, but to no avail. And then came the moment of truth; there they stood. The world around her ceased spinning as he held the power to make her produce tears of joy or tears of sorrow. He never meant for it to come this far.

She closes her eyes, attempting to force time to freeze. He squeezes her hand to remind her of the reality. She pleads and begs, desperately, for it all to be a dream. But when she breathes deep, and her eyelids shoot open, the icy cold air stings her eyeballs--a blatant reminder of reality. The clock strikes twelve, and they stand there, staring, breathing, caught in suspension and disbelief. Eyes locked, fists clenched, hearts burning—hers for his but his for another. The tension is painstakingly loud and as visible as their breath intermingling between their faces.

They can feel the warmth of their breath mixing with the thick, cold air: birthing the storm. Here comes the thunder; she blinks, and the lighting strikes as he lets go of her clenched hand. A slap in the face; a gasp for air; a wind-sucking blow to her gut. One last look of deepest, sincerest, painful apologies, assuring her of the happiness they once shared, confirming it was all real. He lingers for a moment, letting their thoughts meld into an unwanted, mangled mess of shared history—now lost with one, solitary conversation. Then, as he blinks, he turns, destroying everything to her.

She stands alone, shivering, tears streaming down her cold, rosy cheeks. She weeps. Arms hanging limply by her side. Achingly lonely.

Why? She pleads. It hurts. But any response she longed to hear failed her ears. Hot tears roll down her face. However, as the cry of her soul rings out, a blanket of Protection swiftly wraps itself around her.

She whimpers quietly, as she feels Him—knowing He could have prevented this. But where else can she go? She relents. Their fingers intertwine as she holds onto His promise. He walks with her, and she knows that He will wipe away every tear, make her smile, and heal her heart. He saturates her with his unfailing, suffocating, eternal love.

There is Hope. And Healing. And New Beginnings.