A tiny poem by Robert Frost to inspire you this week:
The Secret SitsWe dance round in a ring and suppose,
But the Secret sits in the middle and knows.
Image courtesy of stevendepolo via Flickr/CC2.0
You have 450 words. Come back and link up on Friday!
Kaylie pretended to sleep but she could barely breathe. She felt like her heart had sunk to the bottom of her belly and was made of lead.
Mark said he was going to the Tilted Kilt to watch the game with the guys from work. When he came home, much later than expected, he mumbled something about the place being crowded, extra innings, and went to take a shower.
Kaylie told him about her day while he dried off, brushed his teeth and slipped into bed. She could tell he wasn't really listening. Then he kissed her goodnight with the same attention he paid to absentmindedly turning on the alarm clock.
Why was he so late for a ball game? Why a shower the second he got home? It's like he doesn't want to see me. Why? He didn't even notice my new haircut. What was he thinking about instead? WHO was he thinking about instead. Is it me? I am getting older. And I have put on a few pounds in the last year. Maybe he isn't attracted to me anymore. Maybe he met someone else. Oh, my god, what will I do if he leaves me? I still love him! I'm still attracted to him, even if he has put on a little. With her mind racing and the tears filling her eyes, Kaylie glanced over at Mark. He was staring at the ceiling, frowning. At last, he sighed and turned toward her.
"I need to tell you something. You're going to find out about it anyway, so I might as well come clean." Mark said.
Kaylie held her breath and listened, blood pounding in her ears.
"Jillian went with us to the bar. She's the new accounts manager. Well, you would probably like her." Mark waffled.
Kaylie remembered seeing Jillian the week before when she picked Mark up for a lunch date. Jillian was tall and curvy, with thick, wavy hair and bright red lipstick. God, she's my exact opposite! Jillian thought.
Mark took a deep breath and continued. "I know you wanted to start shopping for a house this summer and.... well.... we were supposed to working together on saving for a down payment."
Kaylie could see her happy dreams shattering into shards of pain and disappointment.
In a rush, Mark finally revealed his dirty little secret. "The Mets lost their spot in the playoffs in the 11th inning, and I bet Jillian $100 that they'd be going to the series."
Kaylie's breath returned to her and her heart resumed its place in her chest.
Always, feel free to comment! Trish in AZ
Hahaha...I did NOT see that coming. I felt such dread for her! Funny though, I wonder how she would have handled the news had she not suspected he was cheating? Perspective is everything....
ReplyDeleteoh thank goodness it was just a bet! :)
ReplyDeleteWhew! Whoever thought I'd think losing a bunch of money was good news? :)
ReplyDeleteThe twist at the end was great. I also loved her panicked thoughts - you capturede that very well! I knew a place called the Tilted Kilt once. Last time I was in that area it had closed down. I wonder if it's the same place?
ReplyDeleteWhat a relief! I'm so glad that tension went somewhere comical instead of serious.
ReplyDeleteHehehe...men are clueless. This was perfect, and utterly adorable.
ReplyDeleteSo cute. I love that you went with the overreaction, because it's so easy to slip into those feelings, and we so often misunderstand our partners wen we're feeling vulnerable.
ReplyDeleteyou really built up the suspence there! So glad hubby was just being bad about money, not messing around.
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