It's Quiet Uptown

Part 3: Look at Where We Are

"Eliza, do you like it uptown?" I asked.

My wife didn't even look up. She walked a few paces ahead of me. She didn't want to talk. That's fine. She didn't need to say anything, as long as she knew.

"It's quiet uptown." I continued. "Eliza, I know I don't deserve you."

She sighed and kept looking down at the sidewalk.

"Hear me out," I gently touched her shoulder. "That would be enough."

She stopped. I wiped a tear off my face. Maybe she would forgive me. Could you imagine? I knew that I shouldn't be forgiven, after all I've done. Instead, I saw her sit down on a bench under a nearby tree. She still avoided my eyes.

I sat down beside her. "I know there's no replacing what we've lost and you need time. But I'm not afraid. I know who I married." I reached for her hand. "Just let me be here by your side. That would be enough."

She quickly pulled her hand away. I noticed tears flow down her face. Still, she smiled for the first time in months.

"If I could spare his life, trade his life for mine," I closed my eyes and cried with her. "He'd be standing here right now. And you would smile, and that would be enough."