When Perfect Fizzles Out

"Crash!" The ball hit the floor.

"Brrrrrrrrrr," It whirled across the glossy track.

"Clatter!" The ball sent every pin into a tumble.

My own clammy hand struck me in the mouth as I reared back in exasperation. A smile nudged my lips apart as Marcia ricocheted from her poised bowling position into an erratic dance. She then bounded towards Randy, and clasped her hands with his, "Look who completely obliterated any chances of you winning."

He chuckled under his breath, "I don't think so. Brant and I could beat you and Anne any day."

"How rude! Take this!" She exclaimed briefly before punching him in the gut, pivoting, and running. He caught up with her easily and spun her towards him to plant a kiss on her mouth.

Those were my friends, Marcia and Randy; the perfect storybook couple. And Brant. But he is not as interesting. That was one of the hundreds of moments it felt as though my heart had swollen. The same feeling I get whenever his eyes flood with the most genuine of love as he watches her leave. Or when her face flushes after his smile makes an entrance.

Ever since I've been friends with the two of them I had obtained the crystal clear image of what I wanted in a relationship; to be like them. Their coupling seemed too good to come from reality, or just any story. What they have is the love from dreams. Since the day we met I never had any doubt they wouldn't get married. But like most good things, they didn't last.

It was Saturday night. I was lounging on the sofa with a book when the doorbell sounded. I strode to the door and opened it to see Marcia. It was raining and the droplets had soaked her and her hair causing it to stick to her chin and neck in cold dark swirls, like markings of a water goddess. But she was missing something. Her smile, her bright eyes, and her posture. Her face was pink and her eyes red. She was hunched into the position of an embarrassed child, and the deep brown of her eyes was clouded by tears that have not yet spilt, but on her cheeks was the rumor of ones that had.

"Anne, can I come in?" She asked, her voice strangled and wet. "Of course, what's wrong?" I questioned as I pulled her through the doorway. She handed me her jacket and moved to the couch. After hanging it up, I joined her and sat cross legged across from her. "Marci, what's wrong? Did something happen?" She paused and drove in a troubled breath before releasing my answer, "Randy broke up with me." Her words sent the tears rolling from her eyelids and creating lines of sorrow over her cheeks. She brought her hands up to her face and let out muffled sobs.

I was appalled. Did I hear her correctly? Randy, the guy who brought her flowers and hugged her until it was impossible not to be happy. He broke up with her? The guy whom she thought to marry? If they broke up, then what faith is there for the rest of us when gambling in the game of love?

I wrapped my arms around her frail, cold body and pulled her closer into my embrace. She buried her face into my shoulder and cried into my hair. I held her tight, like a mother to her child, hoping I could wring out her melancholy with my arms.

It took four cups of hot chocolate and to be draped in blankets for her to give up the story.

She had been at home, just sitting around when she had gotten a call from Randy. She had initially been excited, but when he answered with a somber voice a needle of worry stabbed her in the gut. He told her that he didn't love her anymore and that he no longer wanted to see her. That was when the tears started. A painful lump overcame her throat and she could barely voice the word, "Why?" He didn't give an answer and claimed he had to leave before hanging up.

"He broke up with me over the phone!" She complained through mouthfuls of brownie. "And didn't even give a reason why! Is something wrong with me!?" The words were loud and stark now, as they were fueled by anger. "No, nothings wrong with you! You are great. He just needs to be more courteous, and realize something good while he has it." My words, I realized, were also heated. "Yeah! These are really good by the way."