Tuesday, July 26, 2005

MY NEIGHBOR'S DIVORCE, Part 2



His Story: They met when they were only fifteen, and have been together ever since. Thirty years! He thought they were happy, planned a cruise for their twenty-first anniversary, but she had other ideas. It seemed there was this man she'd met at work...twelve years younger; he reminded her of the way she used to feel, the way she never knew she could feel. But no, I'm speculating on that last part, writing fiction. There was a man she met at work, 12 years younger. That's all I know. She's living with him now. Left her husband and children until things can be worked out, the house sold, custody assigned, assets divided.

He doesn't know where he will go, who he will be, if not her husband, if not the man with the most perfect yard in the neighborhood, if not a daily father to his children.

He does not know who to talk to, where to go.

Her story: Unknown.

My story: I walk past the house and peer fleetingly in the windows. I listen sympathetically. I go home and say my life with its messy gardens, its stable marriage, its raucous music, is not like his. But of course it is. Which is why I look, I listen--but not too closely.

10 comments:

. said...

sad, beautiful.

jose luis shakespeare

Patry Francis said...

finnegan, I'm very excited about the prospect of becoming a banner, but honestly, I don't know what kind of banner I am. I think I would prefer to leave it to your interpretation. Having seen the banners on your site, I know I will love it.

Sharon Hurlbut said...

Lovely and heartbreakingly honest.

Melly said...

Sad and nice.

Perfect Virgo said...

So poignant Patry and I am sorry I can't comment on it but it strikes at the very heart of something for me just now. Enough said.

(By the way, I agree Finnegan's banners are legendary.)

gulnaz said...

moving and sadly real! god knows why love doesnt last. why lives perfect as perfect yards turn out to be mere facades??

Vickie said...

We all get pulled in to the sagas of others and I understand not wanting to get too close. Sometimes I think we fear seeing some of ourselves in what we find and wonderfing if we will meet the same outcome.

Jules East said...

awwwww sad....tears in my eyes thinking about this poor guy.

Patry Francis said...

Thanks to all who visited and left a comment. It's obvious that divorce is a very resonant and difficult subject for so many.

Anonymous said...

Very cool design! Useful information. Go on! » » »