Dancing with Time

The color green

"Hearts can break. Yes, hearts can break. Sometimes I think it would be better if we died when they did, but we don't." ― Stephen King, Hearts in Atlantis

That voice. In the past few months, it had become the sound of innocent mirth, a melody in the dissonance of her life, pulling laughter from her until tears streamed down her face. Noah Myers. Even now, amidst the wreckage of her world, his name painted a bittersweet smile on her lips.

Juliet lifted her head wearily, the sting of tears still fresh in her eyes. Even though Noah has been Keith's friend since they were children, over the past five months of her marriage Noah has become a good friend to her as well. There he sat next to her on this bench in this park, his friendly smile a constant source of light amidst her darkest days. His presence a balm to her wounded soul.

Juliet turned to Noah, the perennial thorn in Keith's side, his playful flirting a counterpoint to the symphony of their love. She felt his hand on her cheek, a feather-light touch brushing away a tear she hadn't known had escaped. "Juliet, what are you doing here?" Noah asked, concern etched in his furrowed brow. His voice was a gentle rumble, his sapphire eyes searched hers for answers.

"I... I'm... just thinking," Juliet murmured, instinctively inching away. Her gaze searched his face cautiously. "Why are you here?" she ventured, uncertainty coloring her voice. Juliet moved away from his warm touch, putting some distance between them.

"We've been worried about you," Noah replied, his piercing blue eyes never leaving hers. Juliet's breath caught in her throat, fear tightening its grip. She scanned the park looking for her husband. She wasn't ready to face him, not yet. The pain was too raw, too fresh.

"He's not here," Noah said, as if reading her mind. "He's on his way, though," he added preempting her unspoken question. Juliet's heart hammered against her ribs. She turned back to him, drawing a steadying breath. Think, Juliet! She thought desperately. Maybe I should fly to Kansas, stay with Grandpa for a while. Keith won't find me there.

"I know that look," Noah's voice interrupted her thoughts. "No more running, Juliet," Noah spoke gently. "Give him a chance to explain. I know both of you are stubborn, but is your pride worth losing this beautiful connection you have?"

"Explain?" Juliet's voice cracked with sorrow. "Which part? Finding his ex-girlfriend practically naked in my kitchen while he's in the shower? Seeing them together in pictures leaving a bar? Being branded 'the other woman' by reporters on national television! Tell me, Noah, where's the misunderstanding in all of that?"

The events of the past days rushed back, hitting Juliet like a physical blow. Her entire being ached with exhaustion, compounded by the stomach flu that drained her by midday. She felt Noah's arm around her, pulling her close, offering solace as he wiped away her tears. "Give him a chance," he whispered gently.

"I... I don't think I can face him right now," Juliet confessed, her voice thick with tears. "It hurts too much. You don't understand, Noah. I'm mentally and physically drained."

"Jul—" Noah began, but his words were cut short by the insistent ringing of Juliet's cell phone. She fumbled to retrieve it from her pocket. It was Jeremy calling. With a trembling hand, she swiped to answer, bringing the phone to her ear.

"Jeremy?" she greeted, her voice fragile yet determined.

"Sis, you need to come to the hospital. Now. It's Mom... she wants to see you," Jeremy's voice, usually so steady, trembled with a palpable fear that sliced through Juliet's heart. A cold dread settled in her stomach, a silent prayer rising to her lips as she fought the urge to demand answers, to know the worst.