Faded Vows
I set the phone down slowly. Its light died. Under the ER's cold fluorescence, everything faded to grey. Leaning back against the icy chair, the noise faded. Seven years replayed. Proposing on the beach, his trembling hand holding the ring, waves washing his ankles. "Katherine Williams," his voice earnest, eyes holding starlight. "Marry me. I will love you, be faithful to you, in good times and bad, sickness and health, until death." Exchanging vows, the minister's voice solemn: "...will you have Katherine to be your wife... love her, comfort her, honor and keep her... forsaking all others, as long as you both shall live?" His "I will," clear, firm, unwavering, resonating in the hushed church. Lily, premature, in the NICU for weeks.
Him standing by the glass nightly, tracing her shape, eyes soft. "We did it, babe. The three of us. Always." My father's surgery last winter. Him taking leave, staying with me through long nights on unforgiving chairs, urging me to sleep on his shoulder. Murmuring to my mother, "I've got them, Mom. Always." Those moments, once vibrant and warm. And now? What were those promises? Words written on sand, washed away? Vows echoing in a church, silenced by time? Whispers in a hospital corridor, bleached by disinfectant? Love. Faithfulness. For better or worse. Each word faded so fast under this harsh light, a cruel, heartbreaking joke.
Divorce Papers
Near dawn, I carried sleeping Lily home alone. Tucked her in. Went to the study. Powered on the laptop. Its blue light pierced the pre-dawn gloom. The browser window yawned empty. The cursor blinked. My fingers hovered over the keys. Cold. Stiff. Paused. Typed four words: divorce agreement template.
The screen flooded instantly. Cold titles: "Standard Divorce Agreement PDF", "Simple Childless Divorce Form", "Custody & Parenting Plan Template"... I clicked a formal-looking PDF. Dense text filled the screen. Bold letters screamed: DIVORCE AGREEMENT. Petitioner: Mark Williams. Respondent: Katherine Williams. My eyes dropped to "Children". Lily Williams. Age 5. Custody? Visitation? Asset division? Debt allocation? Each sterile clause dissected seven years. Dissected what was once called "home." The printer hummed to life in the silent room, then began its rhythmic churn. Page after page slid out, warm with fresh ink, detailing the end.
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