Snapshots

Debbie stared at the clock on the wall. The second hand seemed to slow as the time got closer. Twenty seconds. Debbie clenched her firsts. Ten seconds. She bit her lip. Five seconds. Her heartbeat hesitated along with the second hand. Zero. Debbie breathed, then turned around and picked up the pregnancy test. Positive. She let out a cry of despair and crumbled to the floor.

“Not so bad,” Debbie’s mother said as she adjust the crinkly white fabric around her daughter’s waist. “You can barely see the bump.” Debbie nodded along with her talking. As she looked at herself in the mirror in her wedding dress, she felt no joy. Her eyes began to water and her mother handed her a tissue.

“He’s beautiful,” Greg said as Debbie held their son in her arms for the first time. His hands drifted forward, offering to take the baby, but Debbie ignored them. “What do you want to call him?” Debbie looked down at her son, the most beautiful person she had ever seen and said “Daniel. For my grandfather.” Greg nodded and reached out to take his son’s hand. “Hey Danny boy.”

Debbie awoke to the sound of a door slamming. She glanced at the clock. 1:13 a.m. She closed her eyes as her husband entered the room. He hesitated before the bed, then walked over to the bathroom. As he passed, Debbie opened her eyes ever so slightly. His tie was askew and his shirt was wrinkled. Greg closed the door behind him and soon Debbie heard the shower running. Greg never showered at night. She closed her eyes again.

Greg entered the kitchen and froze when he saw the glasses on the table. Debbie sat in the chair beside them, staring at them intently. “Debbie,” he began, but she interrupted him. “These were on my bedside table.” Debbie took the thin, dark red glasses in her hand. She held them up for him to see and tears welled up in her eyes. “Debbie,” he said again, his voice cracking. “I want you out,” she said before he could go on. He stared at her. She put the glasses back on the table. “Tonight.”

Daniel sat at the kitchen table, coloring a dinosaur. Debbie moved about the kitchen, cooking dinner. “Mommy?” Daniel called without looking up. “Yes, dear?” Debbie responded as she reached for a box of noodles. “When’s Daddy coming back?” The noodles slip from her hand and crash to the floor. Debbie turned to her son. He sat there carelessly coloring. She turned away. “He’s not.”

Debbie sat anxiously in her boss' office. She was anxious.Daniel got out of school at 3 o’clock and they only had fifteen minutes to get to swim lessons and then she had to run to the grocery store because they were out of milk again. Her boss finally entered and she eagerly sat up in her chair. “Mr. Bensworth, I’m so sorry, but I really have to run. I -” “Not to worry,” he laughed as he sat down. “I know you’re always on the go. I just thought you’d like to know that I’ve chosen you to be the store manager.” Debbie stared at him in disbelief. “You’re promoting me?” “Well, of course,” Bensworth continued. “You always get your quota, you’re great with customers, you’re the best gal for the job.” Debbie had no words. She just smiled. The biggest smile she had smiled in a long, long time.

Daniel came and sat next to his mother on the couch. “Can you tell Jason’s mom I don’t want to come over today?” he asked. Debbie was surprised. “But you love to play basketball with Jason!” “Yeah,” Daniel shrugged as he got comfortable, leaning slightly on her shoulder. “But I want to just stay with you today.” She nearly started crying right then and there. But instead she put her arm around her son and kissed the top of his head.

Debbie sat on the porch as she watched Daniel and Jason play basketball in the the Anderson’s driveway. Jane Anderson came out and handed her a cup of tea. She thanked her and smiled as her son made a basket. Her friend grinned at her. “You seem happy,” she said knowingly. Debbie glanced at Jane and took a sip of tea. “You know,” Debbie replied. “I am. I really am.”