Missed Opportunities

“I’m happy for you!”

She smiled widely into the receiver, wrapping the cord around her finger.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for you! You should take it.”

She leaned her head on a nearby shelf. Her smile was fading quickly from her face.

“I know it means not seeing you for 2 years, but-“

She paused, listening to the person on the other end. She sighed inaudibly and brought a bit of forced cheer into her voice.

“I want you to work on yourself. That’s what you should work on first and foremost after all! I’ll be here to support you all the way. We can wait.”

A tear fell from her eye, and she wiped it away quickly.

“What are you talking about? Two years will go by quickly! Plus I can visit you any time.”

She breathed in deeply.

“Yes, you’re a world away, but we can manage. I believe it. Work on yourself. Take this opportunity, okay?”

A few more teardrops fell from her eyes.

“Yeah, I need to go too anyway. I’ll talk to you later. Bye!”

She placed the phone down and stared at it for a long while, the tears still streaming from her eyes. Curling into a ball on the floor, she wept, freely and bitterly.

–

Image source: deviantart.com/sickbynature/art/phone-call-99885798
First written April 24, 2018.
#198