by Gib Whitney

Created on: December 04, 2008   Last Updated: November 12, 2009

A steady stream of golden light kissed Timothy's eyelids and drew him awake. He opened the curtains and squinted at the blinding white, that soon softened to reveal the expanse of the green and deep-blue Mediterranean Sea. Pulling sharply away from the villa's overlook, it made Timothy think that perhaps heaven was truly on earth.

The moment was stolen by the sudden sound of breaking and a loud moan. Timothy rushed over and found Eloise in the hallway standing within reflecting shards of glass and looking at the painting of an older gentleman, who by a stretch of the imagination carried an aged resemblance to himself.

"What is it," shouted Timothy, "be careful of the glass."

"You look so old in this painting," said Eloise woefully.

"That's not me El, do you know where we are?"

"Yes, we are at your mother's house?"

"We are in Italy, have you been taking the new medication," asked Timothy. Eloise walked off without answering.

Again the thought of leaving Eloise seized Timothy. He was uneasy about the timing and felt so troubled at seeing her in this state where she needed him more than ever; in sickness and in health repeated itself like a steady chant of a monk.

He had rehearsed his words so carefully, how he would support her and the children to the end and try to remain close. But his words seemed so hallow and foreign when he silently recited them, and he soon realized that no words would ever sound right. He would simply rely on his heart and hope that it would inflect his words with compassion, as they struggled to resound with a hint of good.

Timothy washed his face and as he looked in the mirror, saw someone he hardly recognized. It was the face of a tired-looking old man; a face so different than he wore the previous night laughing with Lucia in the square.

I cannot loose my life for another - this situation is slowly killing me inside, he thought. And as he looked on at his own image, he took a deep breath and exhaled the words: I have to survive.

Timothy planned a day excursion to Venice by train, and summoned a private car to take them to the station.

Timothy's stomach churned as he considered what only he knew and the uneasiness in his face was perceived by Eloise who seldom commented on his appearance. She said that he looked so very sad. He considered at what level she might consider him unhappy and if it was to the same abysmal degree that she was accustomed to, or further?

"I'm fine, just thinking of the kids," keeping his eyes fixed on the blurred

• 1
• 2
• 3
• ...
• 12
• Next Page >>