Empty Nest
They looked at each other as the door closed one last time. Their kids were all gone, her mom had just died and the last mourner just left, and their separate lives and using the kids as a go-between and sole topic of conversation was now used up. Well they had done their duty…
Guess it’s over, call it a day
Sorry that it had to end this way
No reason to pretend
We knew it had to end some day, this way
So she packed a bag and called her sister who had always hated him anyways and asked for a place to stay while she sorted things out. Her sister laughed and said yes. She had taken the day off work, thinking she might need to be home today. But she bit her tongue before she let her sister know that she had been waiting.
There wasn’t much wrong in the marriage… There wasn’t much right either. They had just grown apart, Every now and then, one would reach out and get their hand slapped for trying. So eventuallly they both gave up.
Yes it was over.
They each went back to their separate lives. Worked, went to their activities and hobbies, had drinks or coffee and meals with friends, and saw their family.
The kids did talk to them about their separation, but not too seriously. They knew what their parents had been like when they were home already. Having nothing else to hold them together, there just wasn’t that much to offer for the future.
But the kids did set ground rules about family holidays and courtesy when they were at the events. About not wanting to do two events for one day. One family.
It wasn’t like they hated each other. They just didn’t have anything in common. And they were done waiting for a sign of love, or even companionship.
The kids were concerned about them growing old alone and lonely. But they hoped they might find a grey-haired romance and sort their love lives out.
Time might tell.
Yes, it’s over, the kids are gone
What’s the use of tryin’ to hang on?
Somewhere we lost the key
So little left for you and me and it’s clear to see