No Crying on Sundays

When Lifts the Dust

Gabriela sighed as she knelt down to arrange the fresh flowers on her mother's grave. The sun cast a warm glow over the cemetery, but Gabriela couldn't shake off the heaviness in her heart. Standing beside her, Tammy, her vivacious and fearless seven-year-old daughter, fidgets with an exhilarating impatience that simply can't be contained. Her mesmerizing hazel eyes glisten and gleam with a thrilling spark as she tugs at Gabriela's sleeve, unable to contain her bubbling excitement. "Mum!" she exclaims with a burst of enthusiasm, "Why isn't our camping gear already packed?

Gabriela paused for a moment, trying to gather her thoughts. She had always been a part of the ladies camping trip, and this weekend would be a way to spend more time with Tammy. The mounting workload had begun to encroach upon every precious minute of Gabriela's life as all of Tammy's time was spent with her father during the weekends. Since her and Marcus's separation, nothing had changed - Marcus was still welcomed with open arms by Gabriela's closest friends and their husbands. Despite the initial awkwardness that often accompanies a seperation, the bond between Marcus and both their former friends remained strong. They understood that relationships could evolve and change, but true friendship was resilient.

The men would typically engage in golf or football matches during their gatherings, from Gabriela's memory the  last trip her and Marcus attended the men decided to switch things up. They planned a day trip to a nearby hiking trail, eager to explore nature's beauty and challenge themselves physically. The change of scenery allowed them to escape from their daily routines and reconnect with one another on a deeper level. As the wives enjoyed their well-deserved break at the beach, Marcus found solace in the company of his longtime buddies. The familiar banter and camaraderie provided a sense of normalcy amidst the chaos of his recent separation. They laughed, reminisced about old times, and supported each other through life's ups and downs.

Gabriela shook herslef out of the relverie, gently brushed a strand of hair behind Tammy's ear, "I'm really sorry, I know this was supposed to be our special weekend together, but the girls forgot to clue me in that the camp got canceled." Tammy's eyes dropped and she slumped down on the grass. "So, what are we going to do? You're always busy with work and I feel like you don't have time for me anymore." Gabriela picked her up and cuddled her. "Well, guess what? Dad offered to take you instead. He's got some special surprise planned." Hearing this, Tammy's pouting stopped, and she forced a smile, though Gabriela could tell it didn't quite reach her eyes. It tugged at Gabriela's heartstrings. Lately, Marcus had been absent from their friends' gatherings too, especially during game nights. He used to hang out and chat with both Gabriela and Tammy, but now he only dropped Tammy off and picked her up. Gabriela, who had always been confident, started feeling insecure.

Gabriela's voice trembled with suspicion as Marcus finally showed up to fetch Tammiel. She couldn't help but interrogate him, her eyes piercing through his very soul. The tension hung in the air as she asked, her words laced with doubt, "Do you have someone else, Marcus?" Her voice echoed with a hint of accusation, demanding nothing but the truth.

But Marcus stood there, unfazed by her suspicions. He looked straight into her eyes, his own brimming with an enigmatic depth. His reply, although seemingly simple, held a weight that sent chills down Gabriela's spine. "No, Gabriela," he said, his voice resonating with an unbearable intensity. It was as if the words were etched in fire, burning through her doubts, and revealing a world of secrets lurking beneath the surface. Marcus placed Tammy in her car seat in the rear of his car, carefully placing her small backpack on the seat beside her. "Buckle up, Sweetie," he said as Tammy raised her arms in the air.

"I see you have her little suitcase and yours packed in the backseat," Gabriela commented.

""Yep, we sure do! We're actually going to surprise my folks and spend a few days with them," Marcus revealed. Tammy squealed with delight. "Yay, we're going to see Ganny and Pops! Bye Mom!"