To Those Who Wait

Margaret and Patrick had once been the envy of everyone they knew. So close, so much in love. Too many miscarriages, too many dashed hopes and dreams, had broken them and driven a wedge between them.

Margaret had somehow managed to switch off her feelings. She had to. She couldn't face them. She went through the motions every day but felt nothing inside.

The effort she made to hide her sadness was taking its toll. At the end of each day she was worn out, too tired to make any effort with Patrick. She didn't want to talk about their painful losses. Conversation was reduced to small talk about the necessary, day to day sharing of household chores. They drifted further apart, each into their own painful and lonely world.

She longed for the closeness they once took for granted. She wanted him to take her in his arms and tell her everything would be ok. In fact, she wanted him to make everything ok. She knew that was impossible. He didn't have a magic wand.

Instead she dreaded his return from work each evening, knowing they would be walking on eggshells till bedtime. And yet she hated being alone and became angry when he stayed later and later at the office. Is this what life was going to be like forever?