ASHES OF DEVOTION

your wake-up call years ago, Caius! I can't believe I let myse

ee those pieces, Ondine, and I want to help you pu

le of lies and heartbreak. I deserve better than

weight of her decision, and the sound of his broke

urred her vision. The door closed behind her, sealing t

r eyes out, the blinky sign of a bar drew her attention. She was not an alcoholic, but she found herself finding solace

t and fly back to her home the

her mind consumed by the painful confrontation. Her thoughts were

she instructed the bartender. She took shot

was Mark, an acquaintance from their social circle and the owner of the bar, who recognized her d

d to have no end. "Yes, it's me, fancy meeting you here" sh

ee her face was all swollen up and caked with tears

n her nearly untouched drink. "

f course, we don't have to talk about it. How about a change of mood? Let me tell you a j

the corners of Ondine'

f as he launched into the joke. "Why don't scientists tr

y humor. It was the first time she had laughed since the argum

d promise it was a

what we need to lighten the mood. Laughte

're right, Mark. It's been a long time sinc

lk about it, and that's okay. But if you ever need someone to listen, I

ly. "I appreciate that

e you been on any ex

just between both of us though you know how greedy those inves

a year ago, I took an incredible vacation to Italy.

d. "Italy? That sounds fantastic. Any

art, the architecture, it was like stepping back in time. And then there was Venice, with it

r vivid descriptions. "Wow, that sounds

t childhood. Ondine laughed, "I used to spend my summers

pades. "My siblings and I would camp in our b

ream, Ondine? Something yo

from her past. "You know, I've always had this dream of going to

Space? That's incredible! What's st

h reality of her recent heartbreak. "Well, for no

oco she laughed incredulously" "Have you forgotten how protective my father i

from the back and threw him

recover he pounced on him and started barraging him w