Heaven Knows

Eight

Tyler does a soft smile and his eyes soften. There's this small sadness to them as he gently says, "I quit."

My brows furrow at this as the waiter leaves our drinks. "You quit? What do you mean? Your contract—"

"I broke off of it. Rammy was furious as you can imagine, but I realized that fame is what got me so ruined. So I quit music."

My heart shrinks at his sad eyes. His passion. His first love. He broke it off for what? A new perspective in life?

I can feel his sadness as my own heart falls with his. "I'm so sorry—"

"No. I'm glad I did."

I let out a scoff. "How can you say that? Music is your life!"

"But it was messing it up! Well. I still play sometimes, but I don't play for the world anymore. Fame is what made me lose you."

His sadness shines even brighter at these words and I let my heart shrink for this truth. Everything was fine until more and more fans created a bubble around his view. It blinded him of me whenever I was pushed aside. I once never gave up on him. On his music. On our love, but I slowly let the tears blind me as well.

We're silent and it's so heavy between us. So he clears his throat and smiles; always making everything bright again. "But don't worry, pretty lady. I've been alright."

"What...do you do now?" I watch the waiter put down my salad and his soup. He gives him a thankful smile.

"Soup?" I say with a small chuckle. "It's so hot out."

"So? What about you? Your salad looks so sad!"

"No, it's not!" I say as I look down at my plate. "It has all the necessary nutrients for your body."

"What happened with chicken in everything?"

"I'm vegetarian now."

His eyes grow wide at this. "Oh. Wow. I wasn't expecting that. Why? Meat is good!"

"I don't want to hurt the poor animals."

"You don't make a big change turning vegetarian."

"I get it! At least I'm not making myself sweat with a burning soup!"

Tyler laughs and his eyes turn soft again. "I miss the delicious soups you used to make me. None are as good as yours." He sadly looks at his plate and then puts a spoonful in his mouth.

My heart melts at these words and memories of his silly appearances whenever I was in the kitchen make me smile. I quickly hide it as I dig into my plate.

Despite the heat, it's a beautiful day. It's as if the weather knows that there is a new light between us as we keep exchanging smiles and shining eyes. I've always found it amusing how he has a way of making me feel better with just that warm smile of his.

The urge to melt under his look comes back and I push it aside. I know it'll make me cry. So I clear my throat once I'm done and say, "Why did you want to reschedule the divorce meeting? Were you afraid?"

He looks up with a hint of fear. That's when I know I won't like what he'll say, but I do as Gail said as I quietly wait for him to speak.

He hesitates until his soft voice says, "I've come back for you. I've come back for us..."

I knew it.

I let out a sigh but Tyler quickly says, "Wait! Before you say anything, please hear me out."

I lean back in my chair and cross my arms on my chest. "I thought I was clear about that."

"But I've changed," Tyler says. "I've been sober for over a year now! I attended an Alcoholic Anonymous group and—"

"Tyler." I let my anger subside for now as I hear his genuine words. No wonder he's so different. "Tyler, I'm glad you've taken care of yourself. Really. I am. I also had a few changes in my life after we broke up, but I don't think we can ever—"

"No." Tyler shakes his head and says, "No no. I know we can. We can work it out, Tessa. Just give me one more chance."

"Tyler. You can have so many girls out in the world. Just go with one of your fans."

"But you're my wife!"

"No! I am no longer your wife!"

He stays silent at these words and I let out a small sigh. Tension once again makes his shoulders fall as I say, "Tyler. I think...we've always been a mistake from the beginning. An accident."

His voice is a sad whisper as he says, "Love is never an accident."

"But love also dies off and ours did."

His eyes fall and my heart shrinks. But I know it's true. I can't let go of the fact that he showed this to me. I was once like he is now, but he changed my whole view of love. It passes just as quickly as Autumn turns a green tree orange. Just as quick as a spark leaves nothing but ashes in the end...

Tyler's hand is inches away from mine but he does not take it. His bright eyes turn dull and I push aside the pain I feel for seeing him like this.

This is why...we must separate.

I clear my throat as I look at the time. I let out a tired sigh and softly say, "I have to get back to work, Tyler. It was nice talking with you. Really."

I stand and stop by his side. He looks up with eyes holding back tears and I just walk away. I walk away because he asked me to on that night. When he had the chance to come back to me, he ran further into the spotlight and he forgot I was always at the back of that large crowd. Waiting for him.