Different was probably the right descriptor. Back then Melody hadn't been plagued by self doubt and melancholy. She was a young girl on the cusp of the (thought to be) best years of her life. It was then Melody recognized the even starker change between then and now — she was happy. Ben knew her without shadows and baggage, and then he was sent off to Canada and with him went her confidence.

"No, it's alright. I asked." She replied with a shrug. None of this — not even the marriage was his fault. Ben was many things, but one could never say he wasn't honest. Even if it meant inflicting pain with his truths. "It was different then...lighter, maybe." It was amazing what two years of bitter resentment did to a person, she realized. How much heartache could she have prevented them both if she had greeted him at that ball with a knowing smile and an easy goodbye? What other life might they had then?

She watched as he put the bottle on the nightstand with a slight frown. "Do you think we could get back to that? Not now...I know you need time...but one day?"