Rooftop Escape

This was my spot. I found it by accident and wasn’t sharing its location with anyone. I’d come here if I wanted to be alone. If the noise of the house was getting to me. If I needed to think. To get away. Tonight I needed this place for all those reasons.

I spread my blanket down on the roof, removed the stilettos from my aching feet and sat, not caring that I would probably ruin my dress in the process. I stared up at the stars, lost in dark thoughts.

No matter how many times I replayed things in my mind, I still can't figure out how I got here. Worse still, I couldn't seem to find my way back.

Brett had scarred me far worse than I was willing to admit. I actually wished the blows had been physical - those scars heal far more quickly. The emotional anguish - first inflicted during our relationship and then during the stalking afterward - lasted much longer.

Alcohol. Pills. Men. All the usual vices. They were nothing more than failed attempts to soothe a pain I feared would never subside.

One of those men would be arriving shortly. My date for the evening - Rob. I shouldn't have invited him to formal. If I could have one wish - more than I wanted the agony of the last three months to disappear forever - I would take back the night I asked him to be my date.

It wasn't his fault. He was such a good guy. I was just too damaged to handle the attention and affection he lavished on me. Rob wasn't supposed to get attached. I tried to push him away, just as I did with everyone else, afraid to let anyone get close to me again. But the harder I pushed Rob, the harder he pushed back.

I wouldn't let this go on much longer... I was spooked and ready to bolt.

I stood and looked down into the darkness. Standing on that roof, I wondered if I'd ever find someone who would make me want to take the leap again. I doubted such a man existed. But maybe, just maybe, one day I'd be ready if I found him.

For more Theme Thursday roof stories, click here.

(Update: Based on some of the comments, I feel compelled to clarify that this was never meant to be a story about a jumper. Did you really think my 200th post would be about me jumping off a roof? The emotions were real - the setting was not)