CW: Allusions to substance abuse

The final petal wilted away, falling in what seemed to be slow motion. June watched as the dark, symbolic petal landed on the withering oak desk. Her brows knitted together, a lump in her throat. What seemed like not too long ago, June had made an oath to herself, when the last petal fell from the rose, she would leave him. Her heart ached at the realization; deep down she had secretly hoped and prayed the rose would never die, that maybe this time he could turn himself around, she wouldn’t have to leave.

She loved Eddie with all her heart, but she knew she deserved better. She wanted to settle and start a family, but this was no home to raise kids in, this relationship wasn’t one to bring kids into and it broke her heart into a million pieces when she finally came to terms with that fact.

The bags were already packed, something she did when the self-pact was made. Part of her knew she wouldn’t have been able to do it now, she would’ve stayed and allowed the cycle of pain and hurt to continue. With a deep, shaky breath she grabbed the suitcase and made her way downstairs, trying her best to hold back the tears. There was only so much she could do, in the end he needed to want to help himself too.

The tear-stained note burned in the palm of her hand. The plan was simple, avoid confrontation. Leave the note where he would find it and disappear before she had to witness those doe eyes break before her very own. But then she heard the jingle of his keys and the door open. Her heart sank to her stomach, a forming pit of dread and guilt. June crumpled the note, stuffing it in her back pocket.

“Juney, I’m home, Baby!” Eddie called out. June stood in the kitchen, a silent sob wracking her small frame and her knuckles turned white gripping the handle of her sticker-covered suitcase.

“Baby?” He called, turning the corner to enter the kitchen. “Hey, hey!” He said, rushing over to her when he noticed the way her body shook with tears. “What’s wrong, Juney?”

June gasped, catching her breath after the failed attempt to hold back tears. Cheeks red and tear-stained, June crashed into him, arms wrapping around his thin, lanky figure. She held onto him tight, her informal goodbye. She would miss his touch— his warmth, his comfort.

When the sobs finally toned down, she pulled away, unable to avoid his eyes she looked up, arms crossed. Eddie pleaded for her to talk to him. He was jittery, pupils dilated. She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath.

“I love you Eddie, so much, but I can’t live like this!” She cried. “ He stood silent, taking in her words. “I have to go Eds, this isn’t healthy anymore--"

“Please baby, I can change, I can do better!” He begged, trying to stop her from leaving.

“Eddie, stop, you need to let me leave.” She looked down to where his hand was clamped around her wrist.

“I-“ He looked down, a sad look in his eyes as he realized she was right. He closed his eyes tight, failing at holding back his tears. His head slumped down, his hair covering his face.

June sighed, her heart breaking, she knew leaving the love of her life would never be easy, but seeing him like this made it all the more worse. She approached him, slowly, her hand pushing his hair back before resting on his cheek. She pulled him down, meeting his lips in a final, wordless goodbye, “Take care of yourself for me, won’t you?”

She didn’t have it in her to say goodbye, so she kissed his cheek and without another word Eddie watched as she walked out of the house, not turning around once to see as he sunk to the floor wallowing in grief.

(AUTHORS NOTE: Hope you all enjoy this little Drabble. Not my best work, but I felt compelled to write something at least.)