Shades of Blue

All Dave wanted to do was to paint his bedroom a color that would complement his lover’s eyes. It came down to a choice between ‘cornflower blue’ and ‘cerulean blue.’ He chose the paint color and split the world in half.

In the world of ‘cornflower blue,’ Dave was staring at her when she awoke.

“Were you watching me sleep?”

“I was waiting for you to open your eyes. For me, the sunrise is blue.” He traced his finger behind her neck and pulled her in for a deep kiss. They reprised their lovemaking from the night before making her twenty minutes late getting out the door, meaning the traffic was twice as thick. To make matters worse, an accident at the exit ramp for her work not only slowed the traffic further, but forced her to go to the next exit and circle back. She ended up forty-five minutes late for work and received a reprimand from her supervisor. She told him about the traffic, but he told her that if she had been on time, she would have missed it all. She thought of her morning shenanigans with Dave, but found it difficult to conjure up any regret.

In the world of ‘cerulean blue,’ she awoke to find Dave sleeping soundly beside her. The soothing color plus the lovemaking from the night before, put him in a state of relaxation that he hadn’t experienced for some time. She had to get to work, but there was no reason to wake him. He looked so angelic.

A quick shower and she was ready to go. She grabbed a granola bar on the way out to avoid disturbing Dave with any bustling in the kitchen. She could grab a coffee at the Peet’s drive-thru on her way to work. She got on the road and was relieved to find that the traffic was moving at a good clip.

The evening’s shenanigans had left her famished. She picked her granola bar out of the cup holder in the center console. It was stuck under the coffee cup and the action brought it into her lap where it’s steaming contents were emptied onto her dress. She looked down for only an instant, but looked up to find she was missing her exit. She reflexively jerked the wheel to the right and her car smashed into the concrete barricade. A car that had been behind her slammed into her side full speed. The EMTs arrived within minutes, but her blue eyes were glazed over and could see no more.