A Moment With You

CHAPTER 11 | A Story to Tell

Cry if you must
Let it out and sigh in relief
Let my shoulder dry your eyes
As I pray comfort for your weary heart

5 Years Ago

It was the first time Eddie heard Irene's story. He had always known the quiet and beautiful transferee in school had a story to tell – a sad and painful one. He had heard rumors back in school but shoved them off. Of course, rumors were always baseless, especially coming from kids — they were kids back then after all. But this time they were adults, and the truth Eddie was now hearing about Irene was painful.

They were only a few weeks away from spring. Eddie could feel it. Irene might leave again for the city like she always does. He had just finished fixing the cottage roof and had asked Irene to join him to look at the stars. But tonight, was more than just a casual date for stargazing. Irene was bearing her pain.

"I was always envious of you," Irene said as she gazed at the stars. "You have a warm family. You always laugh. You may have been quiet since I first met you, but your family is whole. You don't have to show it, but I know you're happy."

Eddie stared at Irene as she sighed cold air out of her lungs. The stars were beautiful tonight, and so was she, but her eyes, despite how expressionless her face was, were filled with pain. The problem is Irene didn't even shed a tear yet.

"Hmmm," Eddie sighed as he turned towards the night sky. "Sometimes I don't know if I deserve my family at all?" Yes, he had always thought of that from time to time.

"What?" Irene asked.

Eddie could sense Irene's confusion from her tone. He can't blame her. Only a few knew his real story. Perhaps Irene's aunt and mom never told her despite knowing it. Then again, that's why he had always respected her family. They never saw him as an "outsider"— unlike the rest of the town... like how he sometimes felt for himself.

He turned to her confused gaze. Here is a girl who had just shared her painful story of how broken her family is, and now she stared at him with confusion but also with deep concern.

"We tend to compare ourselves with the rest and think they have it all better. We even think the world has been talking behind our backs. But we fail to see we all have struggles we try to hide from the world. If only we don't compare ourselves perhaps, we can see more how our circumstances are better off than the rest, or perhaps how stronger we are." Eddie shared.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Irene asked. "What could be worse than being kept in the dark? I have always questioned my mom. I even kept myself away from her after she and dad divorced. I didn't know she was going through all that... I'm such a bad daughter!"

Still no tear, but Eddie can sense the shiver in her voice. Irene was angry with herself. He has become sensitive to her especially now that they were already dating. Should I tell her my story? He thought. While the urge was there, Eddie remained silent.

This was going to be a long night, especially for Irene – and he was willing to stay there with her, waiting for her to cry it all out instead of keeping it all in. Eddie was ready to be her punching bag if he must be one although he knew she wouldn't hurt him.

Irene clenched her fist tight, trying to hold back tears. She was angry with herself, and he understood her. He was a son too who had once been angry at himself for being who he was. Playing to be the perfect son but imperfect, or so he once thought.

Irene was starting to quiver. Eddie held her close to him for a hug. He pressed her head on his shoulder and finally, she lets out a cry.

Listening to her cry was painful, but he can only hug her tight and listen, hoping to somehow drown her sorrows. She was beating herself up inside. While Eddie can't find the right words to console her, he prayed. In time, her wounds would heal. There will be scars from her past – from this moment – but this will one day be something beautiful...