One Shots with Chris Evans

I Stand Still

  I heard the sound of his laugh before I ever saw his face.

  Standing outside on the sidewalk, the city bustling around me while my feet were rooted to the cement below them. The weather had taken an unexpected turn, causing many businesses to release employees early in order to prep for the turn the tropical storm had taken. The knowledge that coastal cities always took the brunt of a storm caused dread, unsure of what would be demolished and what might still be left standing when Mother Nature finished unleashing her wrath.

  There's a sharp knock against my shoulder, a burly man rushing past me and others who all have like minded thoughts; grab what you can and get to safety quickly.

  But I stand still.

  To my left, I hear the blare of an ambulance's siren, calling out for cars to move in order that they may save whoever's life they're rushing off towards.

  But I stand still.

  I hear the worried questions from a small child who clings to his mother's hand. The mother's voice calm, collected under the pressure of the unknown. 

  But I stand still.

  My eyes close, overwhelmed and heavy, even while my body is jostled back and forth among the panicked citizens.  

  The mind is a funny thing. Even in the most inopportune moments, it can cause you to laugh or cry, whether it's warranted in the situation or not. 

  Today is not the day I should allow it.  And yet, I do.

  Because I need it.  Like I need him.

  And I let my lips curl at the memory.

  You've heard it all before. Boy meets girl. Boy smiles and girl's heart races while her cheeks flush. Boy introduces himself while girl stands enamored, all while the smoothie concoction that was once inside a cup is now soaking through her tank top.  Boy apologizes and practically begs to make it up to her while girl adamantly tells him it's not necessary and she'll just change when she gets to work.  Boy offers to walk along with her through the city, causing the girl to stutter out a 'no, that's quite alright.'  Boy insists, pushing the fact that he has managed to remember a handful of the manners his mother taught him growing up. By the time girl had reached her destination, boy had managed to charm her into a date for the following night.

  And so it began.

  A whirlwind romance that went from back table dinners in dimly lit restaurants to quiet movie nights at home.  Meeting the family two weeks in because you happen to run into his brother who recognized you from the photo on his brother's lock screen.  One annoying nudge from his brother and we were surrounded by the entire family clan at a backyard barbeque over the weekend.  

  Our first siting by paparazzi when we weren't paying enough attention to our surroundings as he leaned down to kiss my forehead while we window shopped. His calming words, telling me he'd never let anyone or anything get to us, break us, ultimately destroy us. 

  Promise kept each time he tucked me into his side down the red carpet, on set of his latest film or endeavor.  All the promises kept through vows poured from each of our hearts in front of family and loved ones.

  Every step taken together in confidence and love, filled with promises and devotion, moving forward.

  But today, I stand still.

  I stand still, even as the sky begins to open, rain beginning to sprinkle across the city streets. 

  I stand still, my cell phone clutched between fingers that have begun to ache.

  I stand still, tears falling from my eyes.

 I stand still, staring into the bar where my husband sits. 

 I stand still, seeing him smile at the woman whose fingers brush casually, longingly, through his hair.

And yet, when the woman's head turns so that I see her profile, I stand still.

  I stand still as I see my husband accept a kiss from my sister.

*Unedited