Drowning

They sat in a small, suitably stylish restaurant. Debris from a half-finished meal littered their table. Around the room couples sat close, touching, smiling, loving. They sat - marooned on their island. Separated from each other and from everyone else by an ever-widening chasm. For them rescue was not an option.
She picked up the breadstick and broke it into minute pieces. He picked up a spoon and stirred the dregs of his coffee. They were invisible in their solitude. Both lost in their own thoughts.
“We were happy. Happy just being together. Our family was all we needed. We had our whole life and hopes ahead of us. We had a future. But then!…. It was HIS fault. He shouldn’t have let it happen!”

“Such a tiny hand. He held onto my finger as though it were a lifeline. I cried and she cried. We held each other and just looked at the wonder of him. I didn’t think that I could ever be happier.
Why did it happen? Why did we let it happen?”

He looked at her, “Would you like more coffee?”
She shrugged, “I don’t mind. Oh yes please. This is cold.” He signalled to the waiter.

“At least another drink means we don’t have to go home yet and sit staring meaninglessly into the fire. With him attempting conversation. Trying to put right what cannot be changed. I suppose he’ll sit alone and comfort himself with whisky. What comfort is there for me? He doesn’t understand. At least a tablet will ensure me a dreamless night’s sleep.”

“That game of football we went to see. Humouring me before he went off to uni. We had hot dogs after the game and then down to the pub for a last pint. Got home and Sal had made us a curry. His favourite. I can’t eat curry now.    Our last pint!”

“Sally! We’ve got to talk. That’s why we came here. Neutral ground!”
He tried to hold her hand but she stiffened and put her hands in her lap.
“Have you ordered that coffee? Look, there’s the waiter now. Ask him if it’s coming.”

“He was my baby. My only baby. Talking won’t make any difference. He can lose himself in his work, talk to his friends, go to the pub. What have I got? Memories. That’s all. And a big empty space in my life.”

“He was my baby, my son, my past my present my future. I need her. I need to hold her like I held him. I need him.”

“Shall we go?”
He picked up her coat and she shrank away, making no physical contact as he helped her with it.
They left the restaurant and walked home.

“Sally. Please help me, I’m drowning.”
“I don’t want to live with him any more but I can’t leave him. He’s the only thing left that connects me to my baby.”

The door closed behind them and they retreated to their individual islands of despair.