Reflections
Chapter 8

The quiet patter of feet on the linoleum floor captured my attention to replace Julianne bent over the tub running water. While it filled up slowly, she walked toward me and tugged her ponytail out. My heart sank low as I noticed her redden eyes and the stained tear trails down her cheek.

Her green eyes stared long and hard at me until she glanced down to the cell phone on the counter. Flipping it open, she pressed number one and held it up to her ear. The voice mail recording began to say you have one old messages. First old message.

Beep.

“Hey Jules! Going to be running a few minutes late, but, ah, I’ll be there soon. Love ya.” I recognized my voice and Julianne repeated the message again.

Again.

And again.

She slid to the floor weeping with her hands over her broken face. My voice played again with her stifled screams and I fell to my knees pressing my shaking hands to the mirror.

“Why, whyy....why would you leave me?”

“I’m here,” I found my lips whispering.

“You promised. You never leave me." Anger began to rattle in her voice, "You promised." Without a thought, Julianne whipped the phone at the wall. It shattered into many pieces as my heart.

Crawling on all fours on the floor, Julianne cried out, “How many times, I told you to buckle up. I told you....” She cradle the pieces of broken phone to her chest. “Why didn’t I tell you that day? I should have told you. I should have-”

Her green eyes suddenly stopped back up at the counter. Using the counter to pull herself up from the running water on the floor, I watch Julianne push a small ceramic container lid open and delicately placed a small diamond ring onto her finger.

"I can't do this with out you," she yelled when slamming her hands on the mirror with her back arched and head hanging low. A course of sobs echoed out. "I need my other half," she whispered.

"You got be strong Jules." I choked up knowing she wouldn't her my words, "I'll replace a way back too you." Seeing her delicate hand, I guided my hand over hers. My lips parted as I felt soft skin, radiate warm and the vibration of trembles.

"Jules," I whispered out surprised and her body snapped away with bewildered eyes.

"Tyler!" Julianne called out in a panic as she search the empty room. "Tyler? Where are you?"

I pressed my hands against the barrier beyond baffled. She heard my voice. "I'm here Jules. Come back to the mirror!"

Running her slender fingers through her hair, Julianne responded, "Maybe I'm going crazy, but..." She glanced around the empty room, "I heard you."

For the first time she smiled. "If you can hear me, do whatever you need to come back to me. I need you. I love you." Julianne turned off the water and stared at the over filled tub. Slowly she unplugged it and whispered, "I'll wait for you."

My Julianne left the room and I slid to the floor. "What is the point of all of this? Why are you doing this to us?" Burrowing my face into my arms I whispered, "Why are you doing this to my angel?"