Finding Hope Next Door

Happy Valentine's Day 💝💕
~

A narrow valley cut through the wooded area that stretched for miles behind the charming neighborhood homes. The early morning light filtered softly through the trees, casting a gentle and calming glow on the trail winding through the forest.

Josie Saltzman's muddy running shoes pounded against the dirt path in a steady rhythm. Her face, framed by loose strands of long brunette hair, was set with determination as she pushed herself forward on the path.

At the age of twenty-eight, Josie could have passed for years younger, if only she could rid herself of the stress currently weighing down on her shoulders.

The early morning fog hung in the air all around the trees, much like the memories filling Josie's head that she desperately wanted to shake.

She increased her pace as she approached the familiar fallen sycamore tree along her path. Her gaze fell on the weathered carving on its trunk. "J+J" inside a heart.
Her eyes suddenly darkened as memories flooded through her mind.

It felt like a promise once, a vow made between two young lovers. She believed it at the time.

She thought that love would last as long as that tree stood, deeply rooted and growing stronger as the years passed them by.

But standing here now, she felt more lost than ever. It felt like the girl that helped carve that heart was someone else entirely, a stranger who gradually disappeared along with the hopes she had for the life that she thought she would live with a loving and happy family.

She was only 16 when she carved those initials, young and in love. Or so she thought at the time. But now, she couldn't remember the last time her marriage ever felt anything like love.

~~Flashback~~

"I'm trying to work." Jacob says when she walked into his home office.

"Yeah I can see that. It's time for dinner and our son would like to see his father." She says, her arms crossing over her chest as his eyes remain on the computer in front of him instead of on her.

"I'll be out there when I can." He replied carelessly to her response.

Josie clenched her teeth in an attempt to keep her patience."It's not a request, come down stairs to spend time with your family." Her words leave no room for argument and neither does she as she makes her way outside of the room and down the stairs of their family home.

~~Present~~

She traces her fingers over the carving in the trunk of the tree, her eyes suddenly brimming with tears.

Not because she missed her husband. But because she was still angry with him. Still frustrated that he couldn't be better. If not for her, at least for their son.

Josie took a frustrated breath, pushing herself away from the tree to resume her run, trying to shake off the memories.

~~Flashback~~

Josie stood in the kitchen, stirring a pot of spaghetti on the stove.

Her son, Jesse, was at the table, working on his homework, asking Josie questions every few minutes while she cooked.

While she was tossing up a salad, she heard the front door open, and in walked Jacob. He was late, as usual. He walked into the kitchen, and Jesse looked up from his homework, his eyes lighting up, "Hey dad!"

"Hey," Jacob mumbled, barely glancing in his son's direction, and he never looked in Josie's direction as he headed straight for the fridge.

Jesse tried to make conversation, "I was just telling mom that my teacher thinks I'll make the honors list this year."