The Miss Elaine-ous Life

random acts of life, family and photos

Break Up

by

He sat on the weathered bench at the picnic table under a huge and familiar oak tree. We were at a park that I had loved to play at as a child, with its hills and enormous jungle gym. I sat next to him, so elated to be back from my first year of college and just minutes, instead of hours, away from him again.

But something was different.

He took my hand in his and gently caressed it like he’d done so many times before and suddenly I saw it in his eyes.

This isn’t working anymore Elaine.

Automatically the park became my least favorite place on earth. I thought the tree might fall on me. I couldn’t breathe and my heart started to beat a zillion times a minute. I could feel the heat flood my face like someone had placed me right before a huge flame. Tears immediately filled my eyes and my head fell, facing the dirt. I could see tiny ants going about their business. How could they?

I knew we’d both changed a lot in the last nine months. His love letters were less frequent. He didn’t talk of us getting married anymore. I’d kissed someone else. Apparently so had he. But I never expected this. I felt like I’d been punched in the gut by my best friend. He was strong enough to know the truth and make this decision and I was not. Even that was more crushing.

I remember my mother coming to comfort me as I cried for a few days. I did love him as much as any 19 year old could. I thought my world had come to an end.

I never expected this detour.

But it was one of the best ones that I could have ever been forced to take. I’d hoped for one path but was sent on another by his choice.

At first this new path took me to a few places that I probably shouldn’t have gone but ultimately led me to “the one” – the person that became my final destination.

I wish I could have taken away some of the pain and ache that lingered after he drove me back to my parents house that day. But otherwise, I would keep things the same.

It’s funny how something we consider a turn for the worse can end up being one of the best things ever.



write – fiction or non-fiction – about a time when you took a detour. Where had you intended to go and where did you end up?

Comments

  1. So sad but so necessary.

    Those first loves hurt. A lot.

    I know what you mean about somethings being for the best even though they don’t feel like it at the time.

    & my favorite line? Was about loving as much as you could at 19. So true.

    Loved this glimpse of your story!

  5. Oh this one hit home.
    I can so relate to this. Right down to the age I was.
    But, like you, it was the best thing that could have ever happened to me.

  6. This is the best line: “He was strong enough to know the truth and make this decision and I was not. Even that was more crushing.” It says everything. And I have definitely been there.

  9. You are absolutely right…sometimes what is necessary in our path hurts but the results are so much better. It’s just tough to see the big picture when in the moment. Stopping by from RDC.

  10. So true! There are so many points in our lives where we think we were just dealt the worst news, a crushing blow, etc, but then – often years later – we realize it was the best thing to happen!

  11. It’s like that country song refrain, “Thank God for unanswered prayers.” Beautiful, sweet, and simple. I really enjoyed this piece and sister, I was right there with you! My only piece of concrit was the part where you’re describing your physical emotions. Some of your descriptors seemed a little redundant and unnecessary. I think you captured that punch in the gut perfectly though!

  12. Well done. You captured the emotions of THE BREAKUP very well. There’s always someone you thought should have been the one that wasn’t, but often they’re the ones that lead to THE ONE.

    Coming her from TRDC:~)

  13. so true isn’t it??? How those early breakups are necessary on the road to our true love? I was going to write about a breakup too, but I kept crying LOL

    I really liked this, I felt all emotions of that heartache. So glad you found your “one”

  15. Yes this definitely rang true for some of my past relationship endings. I’m thrilled now that at least they had it in them to break us up, lord knows I didn’t have the strength. Great take on the detour prompt.

  18. yes ma’am. those necessary detours can sometimes hurt a lot. But so glad your final destination has a happy ending!

  19. Oh I remember those break ups and how it seemed to be the end of the world at the time but you said it perfectly in your last line. You are right where you were meant to be.