Bittersweet

Clara watched as the Rabbi walked up to the altar. Her heart beat heavy within her small frame. She swore the person sitting next to her could feel it. What was happening here? Was she so sure that she could ignore this? Or was she fooling herself?

He began to pray. She shut her eyes. Listened to his sweet voice. She was more sure now than ever before that it was him. That she knew this man, this voice. But what could she do about it?

She opened her eyes. Looked towards the front row. There sat a woman with a baby in her arms, and two small children by her side. He’s a father now. Her eyes brimmed with tears. He’s a father. She heard a small sob escape her lips. The gentleman beside her turned, offered her a hankie. She waved him away. Whispering, ‘No, thank you.’ The tears slid down her cheeks. She looked up at him again. Their eyes met. She felt a glimmer of recognition, she hoped? He continued to skim the crowd, his voice stronger with every word.

Clara left the synagogue. She was crushed. Not sure what she truly expected, but knowing what her heart had hoped. It had been years since she had seen Jacob. Years since she had returned to the place she had once called home. So much had happened, so much time had passed. Could he possibly not remember her?

She walked down the street, oblivious to the throngs of people brushing past her. To the rest of the city, it was yet another Saturday morning, but to her, it meant so much more.

This week's Write on Edge prompt requests we explore romantic heartbreak. This post is the first part of something that I have been working on in bits and pieces for a while now, on and off. I thought I'd take a time-out from my first story and introduce you all to someone new. I hope you enjoyed it. Constructive criticism is always welcome.

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