CHAPTER FOUR TOO MUCH TO BEAR
1134 Words
“Do you think I am making the right decision?” Rachel asked Kira as they sat on the wooden bench, watching children and pets running all over the place, their screams and howls serving as a background noise.
Immediately she woke up the next morning, Rachel had prepared breakfast for Michael and left the house.
She knew she would have had to face another barrage of questions if she had stayed until he was awake. Rachel was beginning to feel suffocated in that huge house as her mind and her heart battled against each other, while she waited for Micheal's signature on the divorce papers.
She had escaped as fast as she could afterward, going to find solace in her best friend, Kira.
“I cannot tell you for sure that this is the solution to your problems, but I think it is the best decision you could have made, considering the circumstances. If I was in your place I would have done the same.” Kira answered with a sympathetic smile to reassure her friend.
But her words had done nothing to settle Rachel's mind.
“It's just that I feel like such a terrible person for keeping the truth from Micheal, and let me not get into how heartbroken he looked when he saw the papers; I could barely stand the sight.” She sniffled as she stared at her hands, forcing back the tears that threatened to fall.
Kira grabbed her trembling hands in a comforting grip before directing her gaze to her.
“Rachel, listen to me, you are not a terrible person. You're just going through something that seems to be bigger than you, but I promise you that you'll get through it and I'm here for you, always.”
“I know you're right, but I just keep wondering if things could have been different if I had not gotten drunk that night, if I had not gone to the bar, or if I had left as soon as you did not show up. Maybe if I fought back or screamed or someone…” Her body racked with sobs as Kira pulled her into a tight hug.
“It's okay; what happened was not your fault; you were a victim.” She comforted in a firm tone.
Noticing the eyes that were on them, Kira let out a sigh.
“Alright, I think we have had enough air for today, let's get you home.” She said decidedly before pulling her up and letting out a whistle.
Her dog, Milo, sprinted to them immediately whining at Rachel's state and nudging her with his snout.
Shortly after the trio made their way back to Kira's home, a somber mood that even Milo sensed between them.
“Have you eaten anything?” Kira asked her friend in concern as she sagged on the couch, staring into space lazily.
“I don't have an appetite.” was all the answers she gave in reply.
Kira let out a sigh
“Rach, I know you're going through something, but you need to eat, you cannot keep starving yourself as you have been done-”
She was cut off by the sound of her phone ringer, resonating through the room.
“Hello?” She raised her phone to her ear absentmindedly without glancing at the caller ID.
However, she felt a heavier weight on her chest at the voice of the other person.
“Alright, I will meet you there.” She replied before ending the call.
Rachel rose from the couch with a frown.
“I will be back soon, I need to meet with someone.” She informed her friend, grabbing her purse and her keys.
Kira poked her head out of the kitchen doorway.
“Where are you going? You need to ea-” Her words vanished into the air as Rachel had already exited the house, shutting the door with a soft thud.
Half an hour later, Rachel found herself in a secluded corner of one of the high end restaurants in Los Angeles. She was tapping her fingers against the glass table anxiously.
“What would you like to order?” A waiter asked, as he approached the table for two.
“A glass of water-”
“Make that two along with your special for today.” The woman's voiced as she strode to the table, casually dropping to the opposite seat.
“Mrs Collins,” Rachel greeted as soon as the waiter left.
“So we're back to formal terms again? I am not your mother anymore because you're having issues with my son?” She asked with raised eyebrows.
Rachel timidly shook her head, but remained silent, avoiding the older woman's eyes.
“Tell me dear, what is going on between you and Micheal? I heard something about a divorce?” She asked in a softer tone, sensing the woman's fragile
“I- I asked for a divorce.” Racheal nervously answered.
“Why? What is wrong? Has Micheal done something so impossible to forgive? What did he do to you?” She interrogated in a concerned tone.
Rachel felt another stabbing pain in her heart at the woman's questions. Mrs Collins had treated and accepted her as her own daughter since she was introduced to her and knew she could not help but feel like she was going to lose all of that.
“I cannot disclose my reasons, b-but I want to get a divorce.” She stated with a shaky voice.
The woman stared at her in silence for a few seconds, while Rachel shifted her gaze, finding the glass to be the most interesting thing at the moment.
“Listen to me dear, whatever the matter is just tell me and all this will be resolved.” She persuaded with a motherly tone.
Rachel let out a sniffle before shaking her head adamantly.
“No, I have already made a decision. I don't want to discuss this further, I will divorce Micheal. It is what's best for everybody.” She insisted in a firm tone.
“Darling, we can fix this-”
“No we cannot! I have to go now, enjoy your lunch Mrs Collins.” She forced out, interrupting the woman before she quickly grabbed her things and ran out of the restaurant, ignoring the curious looks she got on her way.
When she got a few steps away from her car, she began to feel light-headed. Her phone rang out in her hands.
“Rachel, where are you?” She barely registered the voice as she felt a wave of dizziness hit her.
“I…”
Before she could understand what was going on, she felt her world darken and fell to the ground with a thud.
- Writer
