Broken Hearts

Chapter 13

"That's not true." Was all David could say.

"Just go." I waved my hand at him to tell him to leave the room.

He did so without another word. Deep down, I desperately hoped that David would think about what I said.

I heard the front door slam. David's car came to life and took off. The dirt beneath his tires flying into the air.

Getting up, I showered and got ready. I didn't have any reason to look decent, but I hated having other people see my misery. It wasn't their problem, and I hated people's pity.

Heading out to the garden, I decided it was best that I work outside. Get the sun on my skin and warm my cold soul.

The dirt felt welcoming beneath my hands. The life around me made me feel better. Pulling me from my dark thoughts and saddened mind.

David and I are no strangers to arguments, but this was the first time he saw what happened to me.

It started years ago, between my struggle with getting pregnant and his absence, my depression had grown and taken on a life of its own. Many days were good days, but my bad days were much worse with each episode.

I was deep within my thoughts and was startled when Justin cleared his throat.

"You okay?"

"I will live. I always do."

"Do you want to talk about it?" He asked. His eyes were full of concern.

"It's nothing new. It's out of my control. He will do as he pleases."

"Do you worry he has another?"

I looked up at Justin.

"I don't know anymore. I would hope he took our vows seriously."

Justin took the hint and decided to change the subject.

"What are you working on?"

"Getting rid of old crops, so we can plant new ones."

He bent down and helped me get to work.

Weeks went by without much of a word from David. Every once in a while, he would send me a half-hearted message explaining his absence.

Our anniversary came and went. I didn't do anything to celebrate it. I talked on the phone with my mother in law to see her thoughts on the situation. She was upset with David's behavior. No job or company was worth what he was destroying.

My doctor was enough to up my dosage so I could keep my depression at bay.

"Get ready. We are going out." Justin commanded.

"I'm sorry, I am not in the mood."

"I wasn't giving you an option. You need out of the house to let your mind free."

I glared at him. He didn't look like he was going to budge.

Rolling my eyes, I went up and got ready.

"Mrs. Murray, I am taking Ashlyn out. We will be back later!" I heard Justin yell from my door.

Finishing my hair, I opened the door to find him comfortable clothes, but he still looked nice.

He offered his hand and walked me down and out to his car. I was trying to hide my excitement. I did need this, but I wasn't going to tell him he was right.

We drove a ways down the road, in the opposite direction of the city. The roads curved before us. They weaved through the hills. We had been on the road for 20 minutes when he took a sharp turn, causing my body to crash into his.

He both laughed as I tried to sit myself back up.

Stopping at a field, he got out and opened my door. Offering me his hand to help me out.

I took it with a smile. The sun was bright and lit up the field. Flowers were everywhere. The grass was tall and green, but in the middle of it all was a small area that was perfect. Pulling a few things from the trunk, Justin walked over to the field. Only stopping where the grass was low. Laying out a blanket and then setting out a small basket of food.

Setting each item out perfectly. I took a seat on the blanket. Sitting with my legs spread before me. Ensuring I was covered and not exposing myself.

"What do you think?" Justin asked me as he took a seat.

"It's wonderful. I haven't done something like this in forever."

"My mom and I used to do things like this a lot. After she passed, I stopped but remembered how happy they used to make me."

"I love it."

I started munching on the fruit while Justin told me stories of his family.

I laughed with each story. The weight on my heart was slowly going away.

"Tell me about you." Justin took the cup to his lips.

I was ezmerized by his lips and how they moved. Finding myself more and more often, staring at them.

"I am nothing important. David and I married young, and he started working towards starting his own company. I worked as a waitress for a long time until his company started growing. He sent me to college after I raised hell. After that, I took on a job in marketing. Now this, this is my life. Gardening, working, and being a dutiful wife."

Justin had a look on his face. I could figure out what he was thinking. He was looking from my eyes down to my lips, then at my cheeks. He raised his hand and rang his finger from my cheek, then around my lips. I was hypnotized with his finger and the feeling of it against my skin. It was a welcoming feeling.

He leaned in close, and his hot breath danced on my skin. I couldn't help but lean in as well. My lips tingled with anticipation. Longing to be touched. My breath quickened. My heart raced beneath my ribs. My mind was blank. Nothing was telling me to stop.

Our lips connected, and I couldn't stop. Leaning in closer, I pushed my lips deeper into his. Opening my mouth and allowing him entrance as he ran his fingers through my hair.