Our Place

I watched the sun come over the horizon, spreading beams of light dancing across the smooth glass water. I'd always loved this house. Sitting on the dock, this dock, laughing, fishing, skinny dipping. Tears rolled down my cheeks as I smiled at the fond memories. My body was aching from the hard wooden chair. How long had I been sitting here now? An hour? Maybe more?

I leaned forward, resting my arms on my knees, staring blankly at the serene scene in front of me. Hearing the gentle lapping of water against the dock. Why couldn't he see how gentle I really was? Look at me, sitting here in the glow of the morning sun. I belonged here in this beautiful moment. I could have belonged in all of his beautiful moments. We could have been sitting here together, maybe enjoying a cup of coffee. He never saw me for what I could have been, only for what he allowed me to be. Secret texts, stolen kisses, sneaking away to his lake house for the night... lies lies lies. He was happier with me, I saw that. Why hadn't he?

I rubbed my sticky hands together, seeing the red caked around my finger nails. I'd only wanted to talk. I never meant for this to happen. I wanted to confront them when they were together. In our place. If they just would've let me talk, explain that we could all be happy. They didn't have to live the lie that was their marriage anymore, and him and I.. we were meant to be together. Couldn't they see that? Why did he have to start yelling at me as if he didn't even know who I was? And then for her to threaten to call the cops on ME? She was in my house. I felt my cheeks getting hot with anger all over again and I tried to shake it off. There was no going back now. I stood and felt the knotty wood of the dock beneath my feet, I stepped carefully to the edge to avoid splinters and reached my hands into the cool water rubbing and scratching the dried blood from my hands. I heard the sound of screams coming from the house, cutting into my beautiful moment. The kids must be awake.