Husband and Wife
In the dead of the night he startles awake.
In his dream Bob was still alive.
In his dream he laughed like a child.
He sits up and rubs his eyes. Everything around him is silent. The house is bathed in darkness. He scratches himself. He yawns. He freezes and frowns. He remembers leaving the light and the TV on. He tenses. He relaxes. Emily. Emily is home. He smiles. He doesn't know why he feels so anxious. Maybe she ran into an old friend and they decided to do some catching up. And she forgot to call. That's all. There is nothing to worry about. They had a great time, and she forgot the time. And tomorrow morning she will tell him all about it over breakfast. He will smile and nod, and suggest that she invites her friend over for dinner. Together they will show the world how happy they are. He will make sure everyone knows she's a most perfect wife. He will make sure everyone knows he's such a sweet husband. All he needs to do is do something about his sperm count. All he needs to do is smile and be polite. And maybe, perhaps, God will have mercy on him and give him a child. He stands up and stretches. His mouth tastes like stale beer and fried rice. He will creep upstairs. He will quickly brush his teeth. He will then take off his clothes and slip into bed beside his lovely wife. And maybe she won't have a headache this time.
Emily is sitting on the bed with her hat, shoes, and clothes on. She looks like a lady from an old movie poster.
He can see that she has already packed her suitcase and travelling bag. His heart falls to the bottom of an abyss. He opens his mouth but no sound comes out. He's confused. He's scared. He's more than a little bit frightened. What happened? What is she doing? He dares not ask.
"Joe," Emily looks at him with those clear blue eyes. She's as lovely as the first time he saw her. "I want a divorce."
WHAT? He gapes.
"I've make a terrible mistake." She stands up, and takes a step toward him. "I'm very sorry."
No. He backs away.
"It's been a mistake." She takes a step closer. "This marriage."
He backs another step. This can't be real.
"I'm still in love with him." She takes another step. Her smile is both beautiful and sad.
All of a sudden he can no longer feel his legs under him. He starts feeling dizzy. This can't be happening.
"After all these years. After everything"
He flinches. And the floor beneath him disappears. He tumbles all the way down the stairs. The world turns black. Pain swallows him. Emily screams.