#dear flashbacks

[lizas-diary]

Liza: There was this old, dreadful church I used to kill time in, just to get away from Vlad. I met him there one day...

Liza: Come here often?

Caleb: [jumps slightly] Berry, I had no idea you were in here.

Liza: Not too observant, are you?

Caleb: You’re quite polite, I see.

For the flashbacks, any conversation in the present on a post that has a picture from the past will be italicized.

[lizas-diary]

Liza: I can handle my secrets on my own, thanks.

Caleb: [chuckles] Oh, I’m sure you’re more than capable. The offer still stands though.

Liza: And why would I take you up on that?

Caleb: Because it can be lonely being the only person holding onto things. You’ve looked lonely since I first laid eyes on you.

[lizas-diary]

Liza: I knew it wasn’t a smart idea to fall for someone else while I was with Vlad, but it wasn’t like I could leave. It was intoxicating, being loved by someone with a good heart...

[lizas-diary]

Caleb: The fact that you put up with that man... I thought he just appeared cruel as part of his facade.

Liza: There is no facade to Vlad. He’s all monster.

Caleb: Berry, Liza. [shakes his head]

Liza: [gently takes his hand] Please, there’s no need to worry like this. I’ve been doing this for years. It’s no big deal.

Liza: He didn’t handle it too well. Caleb can handle going through intense things, but when he cares for someone and they’re suffering? He doesn’t handle it well.

[lizas-diary]

Liza: As the bearer of my secrets, we grew closer a bit too fast. Caleb, he...he feels everything so intensely. When I told him about what a sham my marriage was and how I hid out at the church for some space from Vlad, he started growing more attached to me. 

Caleb: Elizabeth... I had no idea it was so bad being with Vlad.

Liza: It’s not so bad, really.

[lizas-diary]

Caleb: [hides his face] Was it that obvious?

Liza: It’s okay, Caleb. My husband isn’t everyone’s type of person.

Caleb: Oh, so he is someone’s type? [hides a smile]

Liza: It sure appears so, what, with all those people who come around to kiss his ring and play nice.

Caleb: [looks up] It doesn’t sound like he’s your type of person either.

Liza: I’m only telling you this because he would never believe you, if I’m being honest.

Caleb: That’s alright, Elizabeth. I can be the bearer of your secrets if that’s what you’d like.

[lizas-diary]

Liza: I’ve seen you around before, have I not?

Caleb: You have. My sister Lilith and I moved here a few years back. We’re still relatively new to your circuit.

Liza: Ah, that makes sense. Are you liking it here with us?

Caleb: [smiles] I am! I’ve found most of the company...pleasant.

Liza: [cracks a smile] Is it safe for me to assume the unpleasant company is my husband?

[lizas-diary]

Liza: I’d love to go to the celebration with you, Caleb.

Caleb: Then it’s settled. You’ll be my date. No one else will no and, well, maybe we won’t be able to spend any time together there, but you’ll be my date. At the end of the day, I’ll know I had the most beautiful woman in the world on my arm.

Liza: [blushes] You sure know how to woo a lady, don’t you?

Caleb: [grins] I try my best.