threeplusfire: (owl)
three ([personal profile] threeplusfire) wrote2008-10-13 09:43 pm

LJ Idol, Week 4: I Think I Thought You Were Someone Else

Dear A---,

Once I thought we would grow old together. Now I have to wonder if you ever think of me, if you have forgiven me for doing what I had to do. If you have forgiven me for leaving. I don't know. I doubt it. When I see a car that looks like yours, or a man who seems like you in a crowded place, it gives me a start. This is such a small town for a city and it surprises me that we haven't run into each other during the past three years. But I don't go to the bars we did, or the same grocery store anymore.

When we met, I thought everything that happened was the world making up for all the bad times. You told me I was beautiful, you made me see myself that way in post midnight darkness on the bedroom floor. That summer we stayed up all night, smoked too much, drank too much, spent all our money on going out to eat and bottles of wine. It was glorious.

You know, I've always blamed myself for it. Not for any of the usual reasons. But because we played that WoD game Jason ran, the night Roland told Anna about the coming of the end of the world. There was a sadness I couldn't break. I remember the days afterward when you just laid on the couch like someone had died. I thought you were just so moved by the story and the game, that your passion for the story made you come undone in a way I understood.

But I was wrong, I was wrong. This was part of the storm, the beginning of cycles. Once we were down in it, I cursed myself for a fool for not seeing you before. The summer was one long manic phase. It was never like that again. There were so many lies that I can't say for certain what was true in the last year of our life. I thought I knew who you were, but maybe I was wrong the entire time. Maybe you lied when you loved me, or maybe it was true part of the time. I can't say.

I said I would go with you to the end because I thought it was the most romantic thing to say and because I thought it meant a lifetime. It was not the end I wanted, calling 911 in the middle of the night, police and the hospital and screaming and the cold, cold waiting room. They saved your life but it wasn't enough to save our marriage.

For years I kept the last two pills from the bottle of ninety, the only two you didn't take the weekend you overdosed. Before you came home from the hospital I took the shirt I loved most on you because I selfishly didn't want anyone else to love you in it the way I did. I kept them a long time, even after I married Mike last year. Before we moved into the new house I threw them away. They only reminded me that you weren't what you seemed, of a life and a love that didn't last.

Goodbye,
A.

[identity profile] halfacork.livejournal.com 2008-10-14 03:08 am (UTC)(link)

--witnessed.

Any other words I could offer would sound trite and cliched.

But I witness this post, and am moved by it.

[identity profile] lisasali.livejournal.com 2008-10-14 03:20 am (UTC)(link)
Very sad, but very well-written. Thanks for sharing it with us.

[identity profile] kittenboo.livejournal.com 2008-10-14 03:34 am (UTC)(link)
beautiful in its own way, even though the story is such a sad one. truly thank you for sharing it with us.

[identity profile] libra-dragon.livejournal.com 2008-10-14 04:15 am (UTC)(link)
Beautiful entry and really pulls at the heart strings. Good job.

[identity profile] brightflashes.livejournal.com 2008-10-14 04:19 am (UTC)(link)
::nods:: love this piece.

[identity profile] tamperevident.livejournal.com 2008-10-14 05:05 am (UTC)(link)
its good to write down things you wish you could have said.
check this out:
http://www.learningtoloveyoumore.com/

[identity profile] baxaphobia.livejournal.com 2008-10-14 09:34 am (UTC)(link)
Very sad. This must have been a very difficult time in your life. I hope you are happy now. Great entry.

[identity profile] tinywarrior.livejournal.com 2008-10-14 11:37 am (UTC)(link)
Brava, for both the beautiful piece of writing and for the place you made your way to with all of this.

[identity profile] dabhug.livejournal.com 2008-10-14 01:34 pm (UTC)(link)
I could relate so much to this. You did a beautiful job with the telling, I know it must have been hard for you. Thank you for sharing your story.

[identity profile] lilmissmagic71.livejournal.com 2008-10-14 02:52 pm (UTC)(link)
very moving and raw... excellent entry...

[identity profile] sleepwalkdance.livejournal.com 2008-10-14 03:14 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh geez this gave me chills. Mostly because my entry was about an "A" and I married a Mike. Strange the things that shake you. Excellent, thank you for sharing.

[identity profile] walkertxkitty.livejournal.com 2008-10-14 03:57 pm (UTC)(link)
This is by far some of your best writing yet. I'm sorry you had to go through that; I've been there myself and it isn't pretty nor is it an easy road to walk.
shadowwolf13: (Default)

[personal profile] shadowwolf13 2008-10-14 06:31 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm at a loss for words ... nothing seems appropriate.

Wanted to let you know that I did read this though and I feel for you. Very glad to hear that things are different.

*offers hugs*

[identity profile] summerain.livejournal.com 2008-10-14 07:47 pm (UTC)(link)
we both did so many of the same life shaking things at the same time, three years ago. we're both in different and better places now but only a few of us know. know and remember. thank you for being another woman with similar life experiences to me. thank you for the understanding.

[identity profile] solstice-singer.livejournal.com 2008-10-14 11:57 pm (UTC)(link)
This was heartbreakingly beautiful! Mental illness is so hard to live with, espeically when it belongs to a loved one.
(deleted comment) (Show 1 comment)

[identity profile] caersidi.livejournal.com 2008-10-15 04:37 am (UTC)(link)
Very moving entry. Thank you for sharing.

[identity profile] spydielives.livejournal.com 2008-10-15 11:05 am (UTC)(link)
There isn't anything I can say right now, other than I read this and it generated a strong reaction. Thank you for sharing.

[identity profile] johnmill79.livejournal.com 2008-10-15 02:07 pm (UTC)(link)
This is so sad. Hugs. NIcely composed, though.

[identity profile] thndrstd.livejournal.com 2008-10-15 10:13 pm (UTC)(link)
This is beautifully written. I had to pick my jaw up off the floor.

A great entry. Thanks for sharing.

[identity profile] elderwoodpixie.livejournal.com 2008-10-16 08:47 pm (UTC)(link)
Lovely. I'm glad you are able to say goodbye and move on.

[identity profile] imafarmgirl.livejournal.com 2008-10-17 01:09 am (UTC)(link)
Very sad and cold entry. I don't think I am understanding it very well I guess.

[identity profile] tigrkittn.livejournal.com 2008-10-17 04:43 am (UTC)(link)
This is terribly moving and sad but beautiful. Thank you for sharing something so personal.

Page 1 of 2