An Inconvenient Separation

It wasn’t a divorce, at least not yet. Nor was it one of those knock-down, drag-out brawls couples sometimes have. They just needed a little time apart. Things usually sort themselves out when left alone.

There were issues, yes, but not the usual suspects, like mistresses, alcohol, football or leaving the seat up. The issue was simple, one of them just did too much talking! So they parted ways for awhile.

It had been festering for weeks, the warning signs obvious. Finally it blew apart. The departure was not with animosity, or with great fervor. It was like two old friends saying, “Enough is enough.” One just said goodbye, walked out, and, without even a backward glance, was gone.

Adding insult to injury, they had been joined almost 68 years, but both getting frail and attempting to avoid the shipwreck of old age. They needed each other now more than ever, although some said they were too far gone for redemption of any sort. But since separations are no respecter of age, the axe fell.

Empirically, they seemed to be a perfect couple, though under heaven nothing is perfect. The more whimsical of the two oft times got them both into difficulties by speaking before thinking. And, of course, sometimes the other got into situations where expeditious speaking was helpful for avoiding “situations.” As everyone knows, it’s not always possible to connect two disparate entities in a perfect union. Both share alike in the blames, and the glories. These, too, weren’t exceptions.

Days dragged on. Life became a harsh reality for the one stuck in an empty house. Days of anger and denial had passed, replaced by an acceptance of the inevitable consequences of the loss. Never was it truer that one doesn’t know what’s lost until it’s gone. The days became lonely, even desperate. Reconciliation seemed a long way off, if at all.

Business and social interactions suffered significantly. People talk over, around and through such a person as though they were invisible or non-existent. Some, it seemed, smirked gleefully at the breakup, saying they deserved all they got. While once an effervescent personality, the life of the party, a ghost now replaced this persona. Talking with friends ceased, replaced by a yearning for things to return as they were. But they didn’t.

Nights were lonely, the days disconsolate, while living within the silence of the loss. A life review was necessary to reflect on mistakes and conceits. Corrections were needed for sure. Vows to change were flung to the heavens, even as yet hope for a reunion dimmed with each passing day. The personality withered and became a pitiful, wandering fugitive seeking the missing part.

All efforts to locate the elusive partner failed. Silence was the only companion found. What more could be done? questions without answers. All clues lead down derelict, dead-end streets. Finally, in utter frustration, the dilemma was accepted.

Breakups in life are sometimes inexplicable, yet, if left alone, healing often occurs unassisted. They both discovered that greener grass is a myth. Besides, changing partners after the River Styx was nearly crossed would be more of a curse than a cure. So, having little choice, they reunited.

An Inconvenient Separation? You bet it was…laryngitis will do it to you every time. It’s nice to have my old voice back again. Welcome home, stranger!

Bud Hearn
February 18,2010