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Fly Away – Chapter 4
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“Oh. Probably because nothing has happened worth talking about, I guess.”
“ Tina, I didn’t mean anything by that,” Eric said. “I’m glad you spoke to someone other than me. I’ve been trying to get you to –”
“Yes, I know,” Tina interrupted. She wasn’t in the mood to rehash Eric’s efforts just now. “Just leave it, okay?”
Eric loosened his tie. “Fine.” He side-stepped her and went into the bedroom.
A short while later, they were picking at their dinner in silence. Tina could faintly hear music from across the street where Bette’s party was apparently going on. She tilted her head, listening.
“We could still go, you know,” Eric said.
Tina shook her head. “I’d rather not.” She hadn’t told him how stilted and weird she’d felt trying to converse with Bette, and how inadequate and defeated she’d felt afterward. Eric thought she’d taken a step forward, but it wasn’t that simple.
Eric looked away and Tina felt the resignation coming from him in waves and so tried another tactic. Something to get him off her case, at least for the time being. “Maybe I could bake her a… a casserole or something. From both of us. You could take it over.”
“Alright,” Eric said slowly. “I suppose that could work as a neighborly gesture. Are you sure you don’t want to go to this thing she’s having tonight?”
Tina nodded. “I’d have to go change and fix my hair and try to make small talk. I’m just not up for it.” It would be a train wreck. She was in no state for polite society. How did Eric not see that?
Eric reached across the table and gave her hand a squeeze. “Okay. I just want you to know, whatever you do or don’t want to do is alright with me. I’m not crazy about these types of parties either, but I wanted you to know that I’d be willing to brave it, for you.”
“That’s sweet of you,” Tina said, pulling her hand away. “But it’s fine.”
Later, as she was loading up the dishwasher after dinner, Tina caught herself humming along to the song that was filtering through the kitchen window from Bette’s party. She could hear distant laughter. She caught herself and resumed her task in silence.
The rest of the evening was spent in a bubble bath, reading Charlotte Brontë as the bath water cooled, then adding more hot water until she felt drowsy. She climbed out of the warmth reluctantly and dressed for bed.
Eric hadn’t come up to bed yet, so Tina crossed the bedroom to the window and opened it slightly. Even if she couldn’t be there, she could still be a part of the party in some small way. It was pathetic but it was better than nothing. Better than the silence of this house, which wasn’t comforting to her at all anymore. She wondered that it ever had been. She fell asleep to the sounds of music, laughter and chatter across the street.
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would be interesting to hear from bette pov as well. enjoyed reading the story so far. thanks.
I just caught up with this story – heartbreaking. I imagine there can be no greater pain than losing a child, especially one you haven’t had a chance to know. Tina’s deep sense of despair is so well written that I felt the tears well up with each chapter. Three months is no time in this grieving process and I’m so thankful she’s found Bette. On a side note – as wonderful as Eric seems in attending to Tina, he clearly has no clue that these experiences can not be ‘moved on’ from. I suspect he is finding comfort elsewhere, which will be another blow for Tina. Well done! Your writing has me well and truly captivated! PPVVS.
i really hoped tina would bite the bullet and go accross the street… and i have a bad feeling to about eric… even thou he is trying to be the good husband… i also think he has his eyes on another… thats when tina will probably run over to bette’s… like she has said… she doesn’t have any good friends of her own… good job… pps
Like socal and AmandaMG I think Eric is stepping out or at least considering it. I know from personal experience that when you cut yourself off from the outside world it isn’t easy to just jump right back in. I still have moments where I’m sure I come across as being socially awkward. The casserole idea is far better at this time than going to a loud party. But Tina should be the one to take it to Bette. :)
It is just breaking my heart to see Tina this way, she is so sad and broken and women never get over the loss of a child, the pain lessens, but never entirely goes away. You always wonder what that child would have been like, anthing like her/his siblings, if there are any. Eric, for all his good intentions, will never understand and he doesn’t understand that he is losing Tina day by day. I was so hoping that she would have ventured across the street to Bette’s house. Maybe she will go outside again and hopefully encounter Bette once again. Hopefully she will make that casserole that she mentioned, Bette would surely love it. I don’t think Eric is too optomistic about their marriage either, maybe, he has found a new love and is just waiting to for the appropriate moment to tell Tina that he wants out. I’m just waiting for that moment because I know it’s coming. Thanks for posting.
Really well written with great poignancy and sensitivity. Tina is really hard to reach and w/her refusal to see a professional for an extended period of time, it doesn’t seem to portend a happy ending for them. Bette was like this when Tina miscarried on the show. Eric is trying to be considerate but it seems as if they had problems before the loss of the baby.
The story is great just sad to see Tina like this. I know you will fix it and I am stucked with it. PPVS
This is a story of angst. Somehow, those tiny rays of sunshine seem to peering out from the black cloud as Tina starts reconnecting back to the real world by becoming friends with her new neighbor. Very interesting start. I can feel this becoming a story of “a flower blossoming” or a “caterpillar turninig into a beautiful butterfly.” Nice job!
I am sniffling for Tina. Her despair is just eating her up.
This is an interesting, well-written story. Thanks for posting.
What a heart-wrenching story, but so beautifully written. Thanks for posting. I do wonder how long Eric will be the doting husband?
Excellent thank you. It’s heartbreaking for Tina but she does need to go thru the process. Thank you.
Maybe there is hope after all.
Sad but verry intersting start .I m shure,that Bette and her friends will help Tina.
Just found this so I had the pleasure of reading the four chapters together. I read everything you post- your writing is lovely. This one is very gripping, if painful. I like Eric, he seems clumsey but sincere- just not perhaps the one who can help Tina?
this is great- really enjoying as i have with your other tales. looking forward to more!