Feeling the Final Freedom

Flash Fiction

Feeling the Final Freedom
Flash Fiction
by C.J. Heck

Sidney left the courthouse and to keep from crying, she counted the steps down to the street and the idling taxi. “Twelve,” she said, as tears found the crack in her armor.

The driver looked puzzled. “Excuse me, Ma’am?”

“Never mind.” Sydney gave the driver the address and shut the door, wiping her eyes with a tissue. She’d always heard divorce brought mixed feelings, but she never thought hers would be sad. God knows their marriage had been dying for years.

When the judge’s gavel announced her freedom, Sydney thought appreciation would take her by the hand and lead her out of the courthouse.

Two people fall in love, work hard to make it last, and over time, for whatever reasons, that world collapses. You’re both shadows of who you were and avoiding each other for who you've become --strangers sharing a house.

She always gave it her best, but the good went wherever memories go and even the breakfast table had become a silent stage. The clock and the crackling of his sports pages were the only sounds left between them.

Like the ocean tide, love receded with the other yesterdays and Sydney would have gladly traded all her tomorrows to get it back, but it was gone.

By the time the taxi pulled up to the curb, she understood why she felt sad and with a cleansing breath, she began to look forward to the rest of her life.