Shannon sipped mug #3 of as many as she could handle in the middle of the local diner. The dark roast mixed with her tears; intermittently placing a salty flavor on the tips of her lips. It was past 11 pm, and as a married woman she never would've imagined herself here in the middle of the night eight years ago. But then, Will and her had fallen apart a terrible amount since then.
Deep in her heart seeds were growing, with the first seedlings budding outside her pericardium already. She didn't know what to name the seedlings, or the seeds, she just knew they weren't gray. Black and white was all she could must. Will was black when he hated her, white when he loved her. These seeds were the roots of years of therapy, growing parts of her that would still belong to her when he was on the fritz. Her closest classmate and coworker Paige would listen to her struggles quietly, often seeing what Shannon could not. It was blatantly obvious that Will and her simply spoke different languages. Shannon would engage Paige in talks about the limbic system, the latest therapy techniques and self care practices that were effective according to the mental health field, and Shannon could understand the language. Ultimately, Will was now baffled by most of the things Shannon said. Their connection was originally beautiful, but that was pre-phD.
Last night was the first of seven nights to go awry. They had enjoyed a perfect weekend together, labeled "Lightyear" their new favorite film, and then their home fell around them like the wreckage from Zurg's ship from space. Shannon wanted some quiet quality time together before bed; Will wanted to keep watching TV. Before Shannon could think twice, Will hadn't been happy in some time and never felt heard in their relationship. He left, locking the door behind him without saying goodbye. What was she to do?
Head to Jerry's diner after work the next evening and drink coffee into oblivion, that's what.
Will and her discussed the probability of divorce many times before getting married. Their final decision to throw the wedding party wasn't until three years ago. She had ultimately been overjoyed to have a project following graduate school; and it just may have been covering up how deeply the pair had fallen apart. Wrapped up in plant themed wedding decorations and wine, her husband had drifted into a pool of resentment she couldn't understand, nor join him in.