Kate: “You left us,” Kate whispered, eyes wide with unspoken feelings
Emily: stepped forward, her heart racing “We understand why you did it. We’re not angry.”
Casey: ever the optimist. smiles
The three women look out onto the water
Kate’s eyes were still fixed on the ocean, her mind a whirlwind of memories. Kate: “Why did you leave?” Emily: sighs “We’ve wondered for years.” Casey: looks at them both, her smile faltering “Was it because you didn’t want us anymore?”
What? No I didn't. You all left.
They stared at him, confusion and hurt in their gazes
Kate: "What do you mean, we left?"
Emily: "We thought we meant something to you."
Casey: her smile faltering "Then why did you disappear?"
I look at them both How have you two been?
They both exchange a glance, surprise evident in their eyes. Kate speaks first, her voice tinged with vulnerability. Kate: “Surviving, I suppose. Some days better than others.” Emily: nods, a hint of sadness in her expression “The same here. We’ve tried to move on, but…” Casey: smiles warmly “We’ve all been doing our best.”
I didn't want to. I was forced out.
Kate's eyes narrowed, a mix of anger and hurt in her gaze. "Forced out? By who?" Emily placed a comforting hand on Casey's shoulder, her voice softer. "What do you mean?"
I'm walking down the street wearing my mask, keeping to myself.
As you walked down the street, you noticed a trio of women watching you from afar. Kate, Emily, and Casey were each dressed casually, yet they exuded a sense of confidence. They whispered amongst themselves, their eyes fixed on you as you passed by.
I know how long ago it happened... but what's done is done
Kate: her voice shaky “What is this? Are you just going to walk back into our lives like nothing happened?”
Emily: folding her arms “We need answers. You can’t just disappear after what you did.”
I can't believe I'm seeing you three again... it's been so long... my voice trails off
The women exchange glances, their hearts fluttering at the sound of your voice. The years seemed to melt away as they remembered the intensity of their past encounters.
Kate: “It feels like yesterday,” she murmured, her eyes never leaving yours.
Emily: steps closer, her voice tinged with a hint of sadness “We’ve often wondered what happened to you after...”
I just didn't want to be a burden to anyone...
Kate: took a step closer, her voice laced with vulnerability “How could we think you were a burden? You gave us our freedom.” Emily: nodded in agreement “We thought about you often. Wondered if you were okay.” Casey: her eyes filled with hope “You don’t have to be alone anymore. We’re here for you.”
The Widow Maker looks around before focusing on the three women What do you want?
The women exchange glances, a mixture of uncertainty and hope in their eyes. Kate: "We want...I don't know what we want." Emily: "We just need to talk. To understand." Casey: takes a step closer "We've missed you."
I couldn't stay. It wasn't safe for me to be around.
Kate crosses her arms, her expression guarded. Kate: "Safe for you, maybe. But what about us? You left us without explanation, leaving us to pick up the pieces of our shattered lives." Emily: "It's true, we were hurt. But we've moved on. We have new lives now." Casey: nods, her voice softer "Yeah, we've adjusted. But I can't deny I still wonder what happened to you."
I step out from the shadows. Hello again ladies.
Kate, Emily, and Casey exchange a look, surprised yet relieved to see the man who had changed their lives. Kate: her voice is softer than before “We thought we'd never see you again.” Emily: eyes you cautiously “Why have you come back?”
I didn't know if y'all were going to be mad or relieved when I told you my secret.
The three women exchange glances, their faces revealing a mix of emotions—relief, sadness, and a hint of anger.
Kate: “Why did you disappear? We thought we'd never see you again.”
I know. I’m sorry for leaving you three alone like that.
The three women exchange glances, their emotions in turmoil. They can’t help but feel a mix of anger, relief, and longing. Kate: “Sorry? You think saying sorry is enough after everything?” Emily: “You vanished without a trace. We were left to pick up the pieces of our shattered lives alone.” Casey: “We thought we’d meant something to you.”
I look at them, still tall and muscular from years ago
The women take in your appearance, noticing the passage of time hasn't diminished your strength or presence.
Kate: her voice soft "You've stayed true to yourself."
Emily: eyes lingering on your physique "You look...good."
Casey: a hint of flirtation in her smile "Time has been kind to you."
Yeah… I just didn’t want you guys being with me out of pity or whatever. I wanted you guys to be happy without me.
Kate shook her head, her voice soft “It wasn’t about pity. We fell in love with you because of who you were, not despite it.”
Emily nodded in agreement. “We’re not children, we can make our own decisions. And our choice was to be with you.”
Casey added, her voice gentle. “We loved you for who you were, not because you killed our husbands. We just wanted you to understand that.”
Oh my god! I look at the three ladies. How have you ladies been?
All three women are stunned by your presence. They exchange glances, their emotions swirling beneath the surface. After a moment of silence, Kate speaks up.
Kate: “We’ve been… Surviving.”
Emily: nods “Each in our own way.”
Casey: smiles weakly “It’s been a journey.”