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“I needed freedom!”
“And your son needed his father!”
Silence.
Both are heaving from the screaming match.
Sally has tears of anger in her eyes and Wilbur has pure anger.
“I had to do it, Sal.” It’s a mere whisper, not filled with hatred or anger, just defeated resolution.
“We both know you didn’t,” Her tone is harsh. She takes a deep breath and turns away from him. Sitting on the warm sand, looking out over the skyline she utters, “You could have stayed.”
“We both know I would have never been happy with that.” Wilbur sits next to her.
“Why?” Sally turns her head to him showing her unshed tears, this time not out of anger but deep sorrow.
“I was young and needed adventure. I needed to explore the world.”
“You didn’t need to. You wanted to.” Sally whispers bitterly.
Wilbur closes his eyes with a pained expression.
“You’re right I was self-fish and naive and a fool.”
“You could say that again.”
“You deserved better Sally. And I’m sorry I couldn’t be your everything.”
“Don’t you see?” A few tears cascade down tanned cheeks, “You were my everything.”
Wilbur takes a sharp intake and tries to keep the tears the threaten to fall at bay.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t be what you needed then.”
“I’m not the one you need to say that to Wil.” Sally gives him a sad smile.
“He won’t talk to me. Even if he did, he wouldn’t believe I was being truthful.”
“How long have you spent thinking of reasons not to apologize or at least talk to him? You have spent his entire life doing everything for yourself. For once at least try to do something for him.”
“I will. I promise.” Wilbur swallows the lump that’s growing in his throat as he looks into the algae green eyes he had lost long ago.
“You’d better make good on that.” Sally turns her head to stare out at the rippling water of the ocean.
They sit in silence listening to the light splashing as waves wash up on the sand only to be dragged back into the greater waters.
They sit until the sun has sunk past the skyline and is no longer in view. Their only light being from the moon and the stars.
“When you see him...tell him I love him ok?” Sally breaks the silence with a light whisper.
“Of course.” Wilbur will make sure this time he doesn’t screw everything up.
Sally closes her eyes and leans against his shoulder. She lets out a quiet sigh from her nose and relaxes.
Wilbur lays his head on top of hers and they stay there until both fall asleep.
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When Wilbur wakes up the only evidence anyone else had been there were footsteps in the sand leading to the sea.
“I won’t break any more promises.”
And Wilbur means it.
This time, he won’t let his family down.