Seasons of Love Not

Her eyes were fixated on the cascade of colors outside the window. The leaves turning from green to yellow to a bright orange. How magnificent autumn colors were she thought! As she circled her finger softly against the warm cup of morning coffee her thoughts were interrupted with his irritated voice, "so can you? Remember to pick up the package from the post office? I'm so busy". She nodded silently.

Each morning of the last year was the same. They would sit down for breakfast and he would complain endlessly about his bad luck, work drama, lack of time and on and on. He would eat breakfast quickly leaving behind his dirty mug and plate, crumbs and used napkin. It somehow became a routine for her to clean up after him. She once left the items as is on the table only to stare at the same items in the evening. Unmoved from their original position. Ironically, after being together for almost a year she felt their relationship had not moved. The breakdown in communication was becoming apparent day by day. For a person whose profession is to communicate succinctly and with clarity she felt a personal sense of failure. As she finished her last sip of her morning coffee and got up slowly to collect his items from the table she mused that communication is not just what you say but what you do.

She arrived at her office and settled in checking her calendar for what was on today's agenda. Though having done the same check yesterday evening it was a sort of double check. Presentations were printed, packages assembled, meetings booked. Suddenly there was a knock on the door and her colleague Andy strolled in placing a small brown paper bag on her desk. "It's for you J". She looked up at him bewildered. "Hahahha I bet you didn't know that I knew you landed the new client from Switzerland". Andy continued, "this is my bribe to ensure when you make the big money you will take me out for a fancy dinner!". She chuckled and thanked him for the gesture. After Andy left her office she opened the small paper bag to see her favorite cupcake. A simple vanilla buttercream. There was also a note that read, "You are amazing!". Suddenly her phone vibrated with an incoming text message. "Remember my package at the post office".

That evening after dinner as they sat on the sofa she turned to him and said, "I'm not happy". And that was the end of a beginning that never became more than a beginning.