What Sarah Lost

"I heard that there's going to be a party on Friday night at Jamie's house. Do you wanna go? It sounds like it'll be a lot of fun. They are even going to have games!"

"I'd love to Parker, I just can't." Sarah was finishing making her coffee and headed toward her desk as Parker followed. "I have a big test coming up on Monday, I have work this weekend, I just can't. I need to focus."

"Okay, how about we just have a quiet night in then? We can watch a movie, have some popcorn, even order in Chinese. What do you say?" Parker asked as he rubbed Sarah's shoulders. "You seem stressed lately, and you've been working so hard. It's not bad to take a break."

"Parker, you're not listening. I don't have time. I have to get ready for this test, I have to work, there's just too much going on. Any free time I have will be spent sleeping. And yes, I am stressed, but this is what I have to do if I want to have any chance at getting into med school."

"Sarah," Parker sighed. "You've just been so distant lately. We have been dating for four years. Lately you don't even notice me. Any time I try to make an effort to spend time with you, you say you're too busy. Can't you make any time for me?" Parker's tone switched, and he spoke more quietly. "Or do I need to start calling a week ahead to make an appointment?"

"Parker, I told you when we started dating that I would be busy. That I had a lot of goals and was willing to put in the work to make them happen. I can't let things get in the way of that."

"Oh, so spending three hours with me gets in the way of that, eh? I just thought maybe I was important to you too. I know you are important to me and I make time for you - at least try to. You don't try. You just book all your time up and avoid me. I try to do anything to make you happy, and you just - it's like you don't even see it. You don't even see me anymore, do you? You don't notice the little things I do."

"Listen, Parker, I'm sorry. I don't have time right now, I have a class starting in five minutes and I have to do some last minute studying. Can we just talk about this later?"

Parker sighed and shook his head, letting out a frustrated laugh. "No. No, we can't talk about this later. Because there is never a 'later' with you Sarah. It gets ignored. So we can talk about this now, or we are done."

"Parker, I am trying to get into med school. It's hard. It takes a lot of work, time and effort. I can't just take time whenever I feel like to do things. I work too, and I'm studying. I don't understand how you don't get it."

"I do get it Sarah! And I know how stressed you are and that's why I try to get you to take a break once in a while. It just seems you don't care to do that with me around anymore." Parker grabbed his jacket off the couch. "I think it's time I go. If you ever think you might be able to spare some time, then you can give me a call. Til then... good luck to you." Parker turned and walked straight out the door. Sarah heard his truck rumble down the driveway. Realizing what had happened, she started to cry, crumpling onto the floor.

Quickly she realized what time it was and pulled herself together. She logged into her class, only a few minutes late. She diligently took notes, paying as much attention as she could. In the back of her mind, she was still trying to process the events that had just happened earlier today. "Did Parker really just leave me?" she wondered to herself. As soon as class was over, she had to head to work. She changed her outfit and drove down the road, staring ahead, emotionless. She trudged through her day at work, waiting tables. She couldn't tell you what had happened at her shift when she finally went home at 11:00 pm. As she laid down into bed, it felt lonely without Parker beside her. Soon she fell asleep, still mulling over all that had happened.

Next day she awoke, fully realizing everything that took place yesterday. She decided maybe this was better for her. With Parker gone, she had no distractions; no one to hold her back either. She went about her day as if nothing had happened. She didn't feel anything - she was so focused on her goals.

Years later, she had completed med school. She finally had time again. She had always remembered Parker, even though she never contacted him while she finished school. Sarah decided now was a good time to check in and see how Parker was. She returned to their hometown, and ran into him at the convenience store. "Parker?"

Parker turned to see who had said his name. "Sarah, is that you?"

"Yes, it's me. I finally finished med school. I was wondering if you had time now."

"Parker?" A fine young woman with luscious, golden curls walked into the store. "Are you about ready? Wait, who's this?" she walked over, smiling at Sarah. "I'm Lucy, Parker's wife. And you are?" she stuck her hand out to shake Sarah's.

"Oh... I'm Sarah. Wife you said?" she looked at Lucy, then Parker. "Congratulations. Um, nice meeting you, Lucy. I have to go, good to see you Parker."

As Sarah got into her car, she broke down. She watched as Parker and Lucy came out of the store, Parker opening the car door for her. Parker looked back, seeing Sarah. Their eyes locked for a moment, then Parker got in the car and drove away. Sarah realized what she had given up, all in the name of reaching her goals. Frustration overcame her, and all she could do was cry.