She still couldn't believe Nick was leaving. He'd been in her life for so long; her whole world revolved around him. She thought back to the first time she set eyes on him. She'd felt a burst of happiness fill up her soul and when he looked at her with those warm, adoring eyes she knew in her heart that she'd love him forever. Eighteen years had gone by and in that time they'd never been apart. She did everything for him; anything he wanted he got and he felt loved. In return he was all she ever wanted and she never asked for anything else.
The separation was his idea. She'd begged him to stay but once he'd made up his mind there was nothing else she could do. He said he still loved her but all the same he thought this separation was a good idea. When she first heard about the whole idea Kate had been shocked and the more she thought about it the lower her heart sank. What would she do without her Nick? How would she survive? She could hardly remember what her life consisted of before he came along.
Their eighteen year relationship flashed through her mind. She remembered those days on the beach and his annoyed look when she'd bury him in the sand and how he chased her along the seashore to get his own back; how he'd duck her head in the water and how he'd laugh when she reemerged spluttering. She remembered the nights when he couldn't sleep and how she lay awake with him just talking and how sometimes he'd surprise her with breakfast in bed in the morning. She remembered how he'd missed her when she'd gotten a part time job and how she'd quit just so she could be there for him.
Kate knew everything about him; more than anyone else could ever know. She knew what made him tick; what made him cry. She knew how to make him happy and she always came through for him. She could read him like a book. She knew what his every move meant; how he'd lower his eyes when he was hiding something; how he'd run his fingers through his hair when trying to impress; how he'd burst in through the door when he had good news and how he'd get that glint in his eye when he was angry.
Through all these years she was the one woman in his life; he lay all his trust in her. But she'd been noticing a gradual change in him for some time now. He didn't confide in her as much as he used to and he went out without her quite often. Sometimes he even forgot to kiss her goodbye before he left in the morning. She never questioned him but sometimes she felt like he didn't need her much anymore.
And now he was leaving. She'd lost him. One moment she had it all; the next she was left with nothing. Nothing except that empty space in her heart which he used to fill. She didn't know if she could cope. How does a forty year old woman make a new life for herself when the love of her life was leaving? Some would even say she was lucky that he'd stayed around for that long but she wished it could be longer; she wished it could be forever.
Of course she'd still see him from time to time. He'd still visit; they'd spend Christmas together. And he'd said he would call. This wasn't forever; just a temporary separation as he put it. But she couldn't help but wonder how it would turn out. He might meet someone out there and never come back to her. This was the real world; these things happened.
And then there was Tim. He'd always loved her; been affectionate towards her, and for a time she'd thought he was what she wanted. Until Nick came along and took over her life and made her forget about anyone else. But if this separation didn't go as planned she could at least turn to Tim for comfort. And maybe she could even love him again as she once had.
Her thoughts reverted to Nick. As the pain sunk deeper she started sobbing. She was still crying when Nick walked in.
"Oh don't cry," he said as he moved over and hugged her. "It's only college, and I'll be back for Christmas anyway."
"Why did you have to move so far away," she cried. "Why couldn't you just choose a nearby college and come home and let me cook you a hot dinner every night? Why? Why? You're my only son and now I'll be all alone!"
"You're not losing me. I'll be back I promise. And you've still got Dad; he won't be going anywhere," replied Nick.
"Yeah" said Tim who had appeared in the doorway a few seconds before. "I'll always be here for you darling."