Mirror to the Soul

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It was time to make some changes.
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I've been quite busy with a newly published novel and another in the works, so some of these shorter stories are on tap for the LIT fans until it's less hectic.

I've read many of the 750-word projects related to the contest lately and have enjoyed most of them. Many were very creative. I've resisted that temptation too, until now. I never saw myself as very good at writing a story THAT short.

But then, while waiting for a client in a restaurant, I noticed something a few booths over that has always intrigued me -- perplexed me, is more like it. I hope you like my attempt. Let me know in the comments. So, minus this intro, and title, here's my 750-word story.

Relax; it's just a story, people.

I'd just finished the sports section of our local paper and was scanning the tabletop for the local section. The place we normally frequented was being remodeled. Glancing to my left, I caught myself in the full-wall mirror across the room from our table. What I saw was so disheartening it shocked my senses.

There, I saw my wife Connie of thirty-two years, sitting across from her husband, Dean. That's me. She was busy reading the entertainment section.

We've all seen it. That couple sitting in a restaurant or other public place, completely ignoring one another. How long had it been? I asked myself.

Almost two years ago, Connie, then 57, had made a dreadful mistake. I, 61 at the time, didn't see it as a mistake, though.

The short version was that Connie and three of her co-workers had arranged a little afternoon delight at a hotel on the other side of town. One of her cousins happened to be there and caught her just entering the elevator, talking her out of it. Screaming and embarrassing her was how I heard it actually went down.

Connie confessed, said she was feeling old and unwanted. She begged. I held off on divorce, not wanting to have to give up half of my life savings. I adopted a 'cheaper to keep her' mentality. That didn't mean I had to be kind or even talk to her -- much.

Our sex life consisted of once every other week. I'd say it was mechanical and just two people trying to get their needs met. We never cuddled at all.

Fly fishing had become my hobby and distraction. It was so peaceful out there away from the rat race my job had become. Away from a long-term wife hellbent on making things up to me.

I'd gone through to entire range of emotions and five stages of grief, then landed on indifference. Sadly, I'd determined I could not forgive her. She didn't go through with it, but she certainly would have, if not for fate.

On the river, I'd dream of retiring soon -- one day. It was only a matter of how to do it while maintaining some of the money I'd accrued and my dignity. It sucks to fail at something you've been doing for over thirty years.

But that couple I'd always sworn to never become was there -- in the mirror -- mocking me.

Was I really going to my grave like this? I internally asked looking at the man staring back with a determined look on his face. No fucking way!

In an instant, my mind was made up. "Do you have the front page there?" I asked my wife, folding what was in my hand.

Connie stopped dead, her eyes slowly finding mine over the printed pages. She closed and folded her section too. Still staring at me, her mouth formed a half-smile. You know things after all those years. She was both elated and dreadful.

"Welcome back, Darling," she said cautiously. "Are we talking about our future or divorce?"

"The latter," I said with little emotion.

Connie's eyes fell and filled with water. "Alright," she nearly whispered. Then with a heavy sigh, "Anyway, I'm still proud of you for making a decision. I won't fight you."

She seemed to wait for me to respond. When I didn't, she continued. "That is if you'll spend the rest of this Saturday talking with me like we used to. We can take a walk in the park, and maybe have dinner tonight at The Crab Shack. Will you do that with me, Dean, for old times' sake?"

I didn't mind that she was bargaining once more. It would be the last time, and I knew it would be cathartic -- for both of us. Now that I'd gotten my head on straight, it was the least I could do after a year and a half of treating her like a roommate.

She folded the papers and reached for my hand across the table. With tear-stained cheeks, she said, "I'm truly sorry for what I did to us, Dean. I'll forever regret it, and I hope you find someone who makes you happy. Now let's get out of here. I don't want to waste another minute of this day."

I paid the check and we walked out, hand-in-hand, into the light of day, and a brave new reality.

I was going to need to update my collection of lures. Who knows, maybe even a small boat?

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56 Comments
sbrooks103xsbrooks103x10 days ago

Are they getting divorced or not, or will they re-connect?

AnonymousAnonymous10 days ago

I think only thing missing was some words questioning trust. Was that her first time or first time caught? Was she still screwing around or just more careful? That would be where my mind was.

The roommate way would be my choice as well as who wants to be dirt poor at that age looking at retirement so soon? Only issue is she may at some point pull the trigger. So some how through some means he needs to protect some funds.

But i have no problem if he wants out.

AnonymousAnonymous10 days ago

why bother with divorce.

LechemanLecheman12 days ago

Sad, do not agree with MCs conclusion on wife's infidelity.

Too many unresolved variables through circumstance, some direct, some indirect.

Think MC was equally as complacent (explained by wife's response as 'old and unwanted') and used it to justify his resolve.

AnonymousAnonymous21 days ago

Average

Retired and divorced

Like fishing gave up hunting after had shots too close twice after returning from Nam

BUT I don't plan on getting old in some idyllic setting fishing.

Fish but with others who are enjoyable company and also keep spending time with women

SelfTherapySelfTherapy25 days ago

Yep, this is exactly how it could happen.

26thNC26thNC2 months ago

Good story, but very sad.

NitpicNitpic3 months ago
Last

The last person to post a comment was spot on.

enderlocke77enderlocke773 months ago

eh they was too old to be caring about a dead marriage. that sounded like it was dead before the cheating or planned cheating. also at that age why bother with a divorce?

oldmanbill69oldmanbill693 months ago

Really good story.

SomeOneTwoThreeSomeOneTwoThree3 months ago

"Get busy living or get busy dying",

comes to mind after reading this one.

This was one fine short story.

Top ratings from me.

AnonymousAnonymous3 months ago

Divorce is a great way to end a toxic relationship, but a stupid way to punish someone you still love and who still loves you. Her plans to fuck around were a symptom of deeper problems. Before he engages with a new partner he might just want to understand how a marriage this long went sour. It takes two people to end a hug.

AnonymousAnonymous3 months ago

Crappy read and story.

AnonymousAnonymous3 months ago

Like all your other work, well-written, polished and spot-on!

-Yossarian

Mac_LapuMac_Lapu3 months ago

So sad but yeah if there is no forgiveness then its the end. One thing though his savings still gets sliced in half right? So there is no difference if they split years before. Thanks for sharing this short story @cookingwithgas.

WhoGivesAShitWhoGivesAShit3 months ago

I think you did a good job capturing tha scene, almost like a snapshot. It’s a sad scene. At 61 myself, I wouldn’t want to be single again. Not having someone to share my days with isn’t an attractive option.

KittyCampbellKittyCampbell3 months ago

What a sad situation.

CelestialFalconCelestialFalcon3 months ago

I think the key to a great 750 word story is having enough substance that the reader can fill in the blanks - and this one did just that for me. Looking into the mirror is almost an "out of body experience" prior to passing into the light - looking back and regretting living a blah life with someone you know was going to betray you (but having access to all the comingled "stuff") rather than the possibility of a better life without the betrayer in it (but only having access to half of the comingled "stuff").

dgfergiedgfergie3 months ago

Very well thought out, sad but it happens. There is never any reason to cheat. Learning to communicate is the problem with most people. 5 stars

AnonymousAnonymous3 months ago

Buster2U's right, most commentators respond to the outcome and not the quality of the writing. The writing is superb and the plot development was spot on, no faults on the grammer either. Reconciliation is not always with the errant spouse, sometimes it is with your reaction and subsequent actions. He reconciled with himself that some things can't be fixed, no matter how much the fix may be wanted. That is a tough lesson that is hard to learn. 5* my friend.

detroitdave

Karn9Karn93 months ago

Great short story 5*

jamesapplejamesapple3 months ago

I'm...conflicted. That certainly didn't feel like a divorce coming. Had he walked out, yes. But leaving, hand in hand? To have a wonderful day in the sun then dinner together. That feels like a first step toward forgiveness. And honestly? I'm okay with that.

LechemanLecheman3 months ago

Thirty plus years can certainly make some couples tired.

I remember my parents were together for well over 60 years but they were a different generation. I remember the day my father passed, he was looking mischievously at the door in the hospice, and when he saw me looking at him he closed his eyes, smiling. My instincts told me it was my mother.

This story was beautifully written even though, I felt sad at the ending.

Buster2UBuster2U3 months ago

10 Big Blazing Stars for an excellent story, writing, and moral. Personally I find it interesting that commenters reveal that they REALLY Vote according to the story "Outcome" instead of the quality of writing. LOL BTB seem to be the most popular and I just can't seem to come up with hardly any. So I always have "low" scores. This isn't really a BTB but it is very well written, I didn't even catch a single error at all. Not that I bother even looking for them. LOL Thanks for the Effort my Friend. Buster2U

FlamethrowFlamethrow3 months ago

What a wonderfully depicted story of two sad older people.

WargamerWargamer3 months ago

A good short 3/5

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