Photograph, Pink Exotic Flower ........................Maddy Foletta ’22

Pink Exotic Flower , Maddy Foletta ’22, digital photography

stowed some in the trunk. Natalie took a moment to access her surroundings. The oranges and the browns of the desert were magnified by the setting sun, shining brightly in her eyes. The past seemed to pull her back violently. She felt her heart aching. But she would not reveal this to David. Not yet. The two sat beside the fire -- mesmerized by the flames, neither of them uttering a word.

“I-” They both began at the same time -- interrupting one another.

“Oh, you go ahead,” said Natalie expectantly. “No, I was just going to say I don’t know where to begin.”

“Me neither,” Natalie admitted.

“I have to say I’m not sure why you dragged me out here, how this is supposed to help.”

“Me neither,” repeated Natalie. “Something told me I had to and I don’t know why. There’s so much we have to talk about and I’m not sure how to start.” The fire blazed on, crackling under the dusk sky. The husband and wife refused to meet each other’s eyeline.

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“You still wear it?” Asked David incredulously. He had noticed his wife was still wearing her wedding ring, it sparkled delicately in the firelight.

“Yeah, I guess it’s hard for me to take it off.”

“Huh.” David looked into the distance, surprised.

“What?”

“Nothing I just -- I thought you hated me.” Natalie thought for a moment.

“You know I could never do that.” She meant to look at him when she said that, but her eyes remained glued on the fire, and she only managed to whisper. She cleared her throat.

“How’s the army treating you?” She asked, changing the subject.

“Fine. Keeps me busy I suppose.” Natalie nodded silently. She would never understand why he chose that life over her. Why she wasn’t enough. “How is she?” Asked David softly.

“She’s good,” said Natalie. “Misses her Dad.”

“She’s never even met me.” David smiled but his eyes appeared glassy.

“I know. But she misses you, she needs her father.” Natalie looked at David and thought to add, “I need you,” but thought better of it. Natalie had found out she was pregnant the day after David left her.

“I named her after here you know. This spot.” David looked at Natalie, his eyes now brimming with tears.

“She’s beautiful?” Natalie nodded.

“Stunning.”

“When do I get to meet her?”

“One day,” said Natalie, smiling sadly.

“Hey Nat?” Natalie turned to him. “I’m sorry.” She laughed and stood up suddenly.

“You’re sorry? Then why did you leave me David? With nothing, nobody.” She made her way to the car. “Can’t you see how unhappy I am? Can’t you see how you ruined me?”

“I never meant to hurt you.”

“You’re lying, everything you did was to hurt me.”

“I’m sorry Nat I --” He stopped, for from the glove compartment of the car Natalie had pulled out a gun. She had never held a gun in her life. She liked the way the cool metal felt in her hands

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