“Me? Brett, I loved you with my whole heart and I thought you loved me too but you don’t. You can’t possibly!” she pushed her hair from her face with her frail fingers. “I thought you would do anything for me; that you were happy with me. Maybe I’m the stupid one! I just can’t believe that you could hurt me like this all of that for one meaningless night!” the bitterness in her voice was undeniable.

“Baby, I do love you; more than you’ll ever know. I was weak and I’m so, so, very sorry,” his lips were dripping with remorse. “I thought I had lost you forever this morning and it showed me how stupid I was. I realize now how much you mean to me. I know I can never take it back Sarah but please let me make this right!” his voice quivered in desperation.

The kitchen grew silent as Sarah and Brett found that they were too exhausted to continue arguing. In thought, Sarah’s gaze ventured through the side window and she admired the multi-colored blanket of fallen leaves that almost completely covered the yard. She watched two crows, black as onyx, playing tag with each other around the bare oak tree. This was her favorite time of the year. She sighed heavily, exhaling her frustration.

Brett sensed her feebleness; he reached around the table to lightly grab her hand and lift her up to him. Sarah was reluctant but surrendered to him and they embraced.

“I’m sorry. I understand why you did what you did this morning,” his voice was faint.

“Good,” she blinked back her tears.

Brett pulled away slightly and brushed a few loose strands of her sepia-toned hair from her face. He smiled lovingly at her, drawing her in close. She sighed with relief as her drying eyes escaped through the window again landing the bright orange pumpkins nestled together in the corner of the deck. She leaned in close to Brett’s ear and quietly whispered,

“I want a divorce.”