The Getaway

Retreat of Fragments: A Fading Marriage

     I can remember when it all happened abruptly! The bizarre mystery of people vanishing without a trace. Severe weather plaguing the entire world. Wars being fought in the Middle East, followed by missiles being launched from every country, and the bombarding of bombs being dropped on the entire West Coast.

     The worst of it though, was the airborne virus that infected people on a global scale. Causing them to become zombie like creatures, loosing their humanity and ability to reason. My name is James, and I am one of the few survivors that was left behind. This is my story of the end of the world and all that transpired from the beginning to the end.

     The drive to our confined cabin in the woods was a bitter-cold and quiet one. Massive rain drops steadily pouring down on the roof top of my 2008 Subaru Outback, we're the only sounds that could be heard. I personally have always loved the rain, ever since I was a young kid growing up in Seattle. Perhaps, it had to do with the fact that my mother had loved the rain as well.

     The only time I can clearly reminisce her being genuinely happy in life was when it had rained. I also love the majestic sound of the rain. Its like each rain drop is dancing to the music that one cannot hear, unless you are perfectly silent and still. The smell of rain is intoxicating to my nose in a good way of course! I find peace and solace in the rain, it comforts my soul. If that makes sense?

     My mind started wondering off before, I had noticed my wife nudging at me. "James, are you listening to me?" she had asked. "What would you like for dinner tonight when we get to the cabin?" I casually shrugged my shoulders and replied, "not really sure? I was thinking we could go down to the Fairhaven tavern and grab a bite to eat?!"

     "Okay," she responded. My wife (Olivia) and I had gotten into a heated argument an hour before leaving our home in Seattle. We had not spoken to each other for the past hour and a half of driving. Honestly, my marriage is deteriorating, and I am drifting away from her like an abandoned piece of driftwood lost at sea. A lot of internal, as well as some external problems have contributed to our decaying marriage, mostly the passing of our child though.

     In my heart of hearts, I still secretly blamed my wife for the death of our precious daughter Julie. She would have been eight years old today. Two years ago she drowned in our massive pool in our backyard. I have been internally angry beyond words! And I have been distant from my wife for sometime now. It is not fair to her, I know! But that is genuinely how I feel towards her. My aching heart still grieves my daughter.

     She turned the radio on in order to drown out the silence that was inevitably between us. Her favorite song came on and she couldn't help but start humming to it. I used to love hearing her sing out loud. Olivia, actually has a really good singing voice. I mean, she has been in choir at her church that she attends every Sunday. In high school she was in honors choir for three years straight.

     I met my wife in high school my senior year. Both of us had attended Dwight Eisenhower High School, which is located in our hometown of Yakima. The first time I had laid eyes on her, I was captivated beyond words. Not only did I find her extremely attractive, but she was genuinely the kindest person I had ever had the opportunity in meeting. I loved how genuine and empathetic she was. My connection with Olivia was unshakable! At least, I had thought it was.

     She has a tender heart for people, wears her emotions on her sleeve, is extremely intelligent, sassy, very witty, confident, and most importantly loves people for their sake! And I was just drawn to her personality and personhood. The two of us ended up getting married right after we had graduated from school in 2002. I fervently love my wife with all that I am. But, I feel like this will be our last getaway together.