her remedy

3

21 was released today.

But my pain wasn't.

On the way back from an incredibly emotional performance for a radio interview, I study the rain droplets on the car window.

My vision occasionally goes a bit blurry as I go in and out of quiet sobbing.

"Right here." I say, covering my splotchy eyes with my dark sunglasses.

The driver pulls up to the curb right outside the restaurant, and I reluctantly step out into the world.

I promised Laura and her boyfriend that I would meet them and celebrate the album's release.

Now that I'm actually here, I wonder why I made such a promise.

I walk to their table, and Laura's face lights up when she sees me.

"Delly!" She says, getting up and hugging me.

I hug her back, but I don't say anything out of fear of crying.

She becomes concerned when I don't say anything to her.

Daniel, her boyfriend, sits there awkwardly reading the ingredient label on a bottle of ketchup.

"Are you okay?" Laura mouths.

I collapsed from heartbreak a couple months ago, I've cried all day, I feel so lonely and I've accepted I'll never find love again.

I slightly shake my head, desperately wanting to collapse into a puddle and never have to get back up.

She nods, as if to say, "I didn't think you were."

Taking my hand, she says to Daniel, "We'll be back." He nods, seeming to understand.

Laura walks with me over to the bathroom and makes sure we're alone before speaking.

"First of all, you're taking those off." She points to my sunglasses.

"No, I'm not. They're my only security." I protest.

"I'm your best friend, Adele. I'm not going to judge you. Take them off."

Tears well up in my tired eyes and I start to consider running away to go back home. Before I can think twice, she gently but quickly takes them off of me, revealing my splotchy, red, and sad eyes.

"Do you want to talk about it?" She asks, her face suddenly sympathetic.

"I just...he isn't here. And I want him to enjoy this with me. But he can't, he won't be there to support me. I-" Tears threaten me. "I miss him." Then they come.

Sighing, Laura pulls me into her for a hug and says, "I'm so sorry."

I take a deep breath and let all my pent-up emotions free. It feels so good to cry into her shoulder.

Once I pour out all of the broken pieces of my heart, I pick my head up and take another deep breath, trying to look less of a mess.

Laura rubs my back reassuringly and says, "You alright for now?"

I manage a fake smile and say, "For now."

We walk back to the booth and I see a man with a dark beard sitting with Daniel.

Laura looks just as surprised as I do.

Daniel says, "Oh, here they are."