A Window Opportunity

They say that the eyes are the windows to the soul. I for one was never big on windows. All my life I have stared out a window; wether it was at home on a rainy day, at school, or work. All a window ever did for me was being a reminder that I was stuck somewhere I didn’t want to be. 

Right now I’m outside sitting at a table of a restaurant that me and my soon to be ex love to eat. I’m looking through the window and all the people sitting, eating their food, having conversations; yet here I am once again being reminded of a place I don’t want to be. I see Erica walking up to the table, the breeze slight moves her hair as she walks, her hips move slightly from side to side in her maxi dress. I notice she has makeup on, something she rarely put on, except for special occasions. Seems like this must be one. As she comes closer, all I can think about is our first date here. The nervousness I had, the excitement of something new. Now I feel nothing, but contentment. I much rather look in on the ones inside, than the one outside. There isn’t a window for me, just two chairs,a table, and her. We greet each other and play our parts. We order without missing a beat; Erica loves the smoked Turkey sandwich on sourdough bread, with Swiss cheese, with a kale salad (her new fix) and a strawberry lemonade. I on the other hand depend on what day it is. Today happens to be a Monte Cristo with a tea. 

We eat quietly, which isn’t nothing new, at least not for a good bit now. Before this phase we used to talk and laugh. Sometimes our food would get cold or it would take forever for us to order. Now it’s just two people who are enjoying their meal. Seems to be the only good thing happening here anyway. Finally we finish our meals and before her lips can part from each other. I stop her and ask for a walk, which she was willing to accept. After paying we started down the street. There was the old habit to hold her hand, but I know that wasn’t needed. Even though I was feeling fine with what was going to happen. Having a best of reel playing in my head, made me yearn for our past one last time. I wish I could open up a window and walk back in to a time before this. A window doesn’t exist and for a good reason I’m sure of. 

We continue you to walk and not a word was spoken. For once in a long time we both are on the same page, knowing that we are indeed finished. This walk was just a mercy kill, a nice way to finish off our relationship. No awkwardness or wondering what to say, the sad exchange of making the other person feel better, and lastly the goodbye. No, I didn’t want that and I knew she didn’t either. As we arrived at Erica’s car, the last thing I receive from Erica is the smell of perfume as she turns to get into her vehicle. I stand there taking in the aroma of the fragrance, when she glanced back at me. I know it’s not a second guess. Even when you’re the one ending something, if you truly cared at all it will affect you. I can tell in her eyes that it is, yet it’s for the best. I nod at her and smile. A smile that lets her know it’s fine, even if we both know that I’m not. Erica drives off as I stand there with my hands in my pockets. I know she won’t look back,she never was the type to. The last lingering scent of her perfume slowly leaves, as the wind gently blows on me like a comforting friend. I proceed back home somberly in my thoughts. There no specific ones, just thoughts. I wonder what next, how it will be when I get home, what do I do now, what goes good with eggplant?  The last part made me light some, cause I really don’t like eggplant and only had because Erica had insisted we try it. Well now I don’t have to do that, so there’s a positive. I thought to myself and I begin to laugh even louder. 

“You’ll be ok,” I told myself.  Erica had already got all her stuff out a month ago and we never took a lot of pictures so I’m good on that part. The only major problem was the memories. I thought about the Jim Carrey movie, were his character tries an experiment that allows him to erase his memories of his ex. I thought how nice that would be, but also remembered how much it sucked for him. So maybe not. 

I finally made it home, inside the house was quite. I could feel the emptiness, now that we are officially done. I sit down in the recliner chair as the soft cushion soaked my in. I let out a be exhale and closed my eyes. At that moment a loud crazy came through the house. I knew the sound instantly as I jump up in the chair surprise by the noise. As soon as I regain my composure I look over to see a broken window. I walk over trying to figure out what cause this to happen. Did a bird hit it? A rock or maybe someone threw something? Whatever it was, I now had a broken window and glass on the floor. I couldn’t help, but see mine and Erica’s relationship in this broken window. Maybe there had been signs that this was going to happen? Is it me who just wasn’t willing to look and see? Perhaps it was fate, a thing that was going to happen regardless? None of that matter though, it is what it is. 

I’m bless to be able to find a repairer who could come by the same day. A couple hours later a with van pulled out and two men can in wearing white outfits with blue trims. One was an older man in his 60’s maybe and the other a younger man possible in his 20’s comes up to the door. 

“Heard you were having some window problems” the older man says to me smiling. 

“You know they work better raised than broke” he tells me while grinning. 

“Yea and a lot cheaper too” I respond back. 

The younger man doesn’t smile and stands there. 

“Mind if I look at the window?” He asks me. 

Sure. 

I then point to the direction of the window. 

“We’ll be done in no time.” The old man reassure me. 

The both of them examine the area. Then they look at each other and gave a nod of agreement on the plan. The younger man went outside and came back with cleaning materials. Before long my glass floor was no more and my broken window is now a brand new clean window. I sat back in my broken in recliner and let out a exhausting sigh. The least thing you want after an end is quite, gives your brain far too much of an opportunity to think. I look out my newly installed window as the rays of the afternoon sun shine through. Then I see someone standing outside. I figure maybe someone is lost or maybe they are admiring my new window. Worse maybe they’re the responsible party for my broken window. More realistic is I’m just seeing things. 

Needless to say I get up to have a closer look. As I inch closer to the window I know that my eyes are being truthful. There standing outside is a woman in a yellow dress with medium dark brown hair. I instantly know who she is, Erica. That can’t be true, yet the more I look, the more certain I am. I begin to wonder what is all this and why is she outside? I step back from the window and go outside. I go to see where she was standing at and there isn’t anyone there. 

“We’ll congrats Nate, you’re officially crazy” I say to myself. 

I walk back in and sure enough there she is still standing there. 

“What is she doing?” I began to wonder to myself. 

Is she waiting on me?

Finally I decide to open up the window. In that moment a nice breeze blows into the house and with it the fragrance of her perfume. I look at her standing out there and wonder if I’m awake or not. If I’m not, then I would prefer to stay asleep. I look and she is signaling for me. I wasn’t keen on this, but something inside me yearn to go. So I stepped out the window. My feet hit the ground with ease and when I look forward there she is. I walk up to her and we embrace hand in hand. We both don’t say anything to each other, but we both know what we are thinking. 

This is where we want to be. This is where we can stay. We continue on walking to where, that I can’t say. The end came and now from it a new beginning. My window was broken and now it is new again. From the view I can see our future, crystal clear.