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“That’s beautiful,” I say.
Adonis smiles, tears welling up in his eyes.
“Thanks. Excuse me for a minute.”
The warmth of the cup of hot coffee in my palms is soothing. I watch the couples around me. Their laughter and cheerful conversations fill the air, and I find myself more isolated in the midst of all the joyful banter.
Adonis' face comes to mind, the way his eyes cast downwards when he spoke of his lost love. He’s in deep pain and sorrow, and guilt floods through me for how I have been treating him.
I sigh and set down my cup, exhausted. All the pain and grief Adonis has been through must be awful.
Maybe he isn’t an arrogant asshole…
8
Adonis
She pulls at the strings of my heart, drawing me in and opening up a part of himself I have long kept buried. I want to know more about her, to understand what lays beneath the sorrow and pain I sense from her. I watch as the emotion lingers in the air. So much anger hiding behind that beautiful face and I want to know more.
“Sorry, I’m back.”
Raven turns to me, her eyes dark and distant. Her gaze carries a sadness and resignation.
"Not trying to be rude but the attitude is a facade. A way to keep people at arms length, right?" I ask.
She squints. "Probably. I've not had a good couple of days."
I frown, not sure what to make of her answer. I sense a hidden story in her words.
"What happened?" I ask, searching her eyes for answers.
Raven sighs and looks away, her eyes unfocused. "It's a long story.”
"I'm a good listener and have nowhere to be.”
Raven takes a deep breath and turns to me. "I was engaged," she says, her voice barely audible. "But it didn't work out."
My heart breaks for her as I listen. I want to reach out and comfort her, but I know she won't welcome it right now.
"It hasn't been long since the breakup," Raven continues. "But it feels like yesterday. I'm still healing, still trying to find my way back to myself."
I nod, not sure what to say in response. I want to tell her things will get better, one day she will heal and find joy again, but it isn't something I can promise. So instead, I listen, my heart aching for her pain. I want to take it away, to make her whole again, but I can’t.
I reach out and brush her arm, my fingers linger on her soft skin. Raven looks up at me, her eyes filled with emotion.
"It's going to be okay.”
Raven closes her eyes, tears spilling down her cheeks. I move into the booth with her, wrapping my arms around her as she cries.
For the first time in a long time, I can make a difference in someone's life. Offer comfort and support. I’m not sure if I can ever make Raven's broken heart whole again, but can try.
I hold her until her tears run dry, and wipe the last of them away with my thumb. Raven looks up at me, in her eyes a spark of hope that hasn't been there before.
"Thank you," she says, her voice soft and gentle.
As I watch her, something more than sadness is in her eyes. I recognize this is what depression looks like—the distant gazes and a hollow heart that no amount of love can fill. Seeing someone suffer from depression makes me realize how important it is to recognize these warning signs early on before they become too severe or leave lasting effects.
I wish Raven didn't have such strong emotional walls blocking anyone who might be trying to help break through. I understand why those defenses are necessary too: without them life can be almost unbearable.
