Scars by Diane Henry, black coffee with cream

 

Scars are a natural part of the healing process. Most will fade although they never completely disappear.

I have a scar. No one can see it, but it's there. Once it was an open wound, bloody, and oozing but now it is fading. Little by little.

            It still takes an effort of will to go to the office each day. But I make it. Today I'm greeted by Julie.

            "Hiya, how are you, today?" she says brightly, glancing up from her magazine, sipping from her 'Waiting for Mr Right' coffee mug. Julie is usually first in the office but last to start working.

            "Fine," I reply, because that's the convention. Julie doesn't want the truth. Does anybody?  What would she do if I poured that truth all over her magazine and her tight white blouse and her pretty pink skirt? How would she answer if I said, "Actually, I'm broken and bleeding. My pain is so intense I can't eat or sleep. I can barely function."

            Instead I smile and make my way to my desk. I fire up my computer. Going through the motions as if everything is fine. Fake it 'til I make it. That's my strategy. Through the window I watch Graham parking his car. His pride and joy. It's gleaming in the early morning sunshine. When he gets out he has a cloth in his hand. He proceeds to polish the bonnet, then the wing mirrors. He stands back to admire his handiwork. Men and their cars I think indulgently.

            And I find myself smiling. It takes me by surprise.

            Graham sees me watching from the window. He's smiling back at me and giving me a wave. I raise my hand and wave back.

            I put my hand to my chest. I can feel my heart beating. Rhythmic. Steady. Maybe it's not broken after all. It was badly damaged but now it's healing.

Scars are a natural part of the healing process. Most will fade although they never completely disappear.

 

About the author

Diane Henry lives in Hampshire with her husband. An avid reader who also loves writing. Diane has had short stories published in Women's magazine and enjoys writing flash fiction, usually with a twist ending. She is currently co-writing a crime series set in Wyoming.