Original drabbles

[libra_traveller]

The guitar plays and I look at how beautiful my soon to be wife is. Even the chattering of the people around us can’t distract me as I watch her smile. As the man I hired walks away I turn to her. “You know dear, you haven’t given me an answer yet.”

“I didn’t? How impolite of me. Of course it’s a yes. I’m happy to marry you. My only fear is the money. This outing was hard on us as is, how will we afford a wedding?”

“I don’t care how small it is. I just want you.”

“Well, you have me.”

I smile, and take a sip of wine. This night, everything fell into place.


***

Every day he sits at the desk in his office and makes designs for buildings. Every few minutes he glances at the picture of his wife and child, wishing he was back home, instead of a couple states away.

It had only been three months at his new job. Soon, the townhouse he was renting would be theirs and he’d be reunited with them. Only five more weeks, and he could see his baby girl again.

Quickly he grabbed for the ringing phone. “Sharin, is that you?”

“Daddy!”

“Let me speak to your mom.”

“Daddy, I can’t. I’m at the hospital. Something’s wrong with Mommy.”

A doctor’s voice came on. “I’m sorry, we regret to inform you your wife fell down the stairs…”

That’s when his dreams fell apart.

***

The cold air frosted my breath as I whispered to my friend.

“Why do you speak so soft?”

I smiled, not knowing what to say. It was obvious she hadn’t heard my declaration. I always try to say it, but the words never come out. Instead she must have only heard the cars roaring across the bridge, or the sound of the water moving with the wind.

“Please, tell me. I can tell it’s important.” She lay her hand on top of mine, trying to warm it through the glove. “Just say it.”

Instead I kissed her, trying to put everything I felt in it, hoping it would be enough to get my message across.

When she pulled away she touched my cheek. “I get it. I love you too.”

***

Making the vaccine is a long and arduous process. By the time the women finish it most of the infected will be long dead, or too late. The only hope was in preventing more deaths, more losses.

Somedays, being a scientist didn’t seem worth it to Dr. Danielle Langston. Her assistant, Sarah Reese felt differently, though she mostly watched the wonders of the work that was being done. Yet they had been working together for five years, striving to find one cure, and this year they would succeed. But would it be enough for Danielle? Knowing that she had failed to save her own brother, failed to save her nieces and nephews.

Months later when their goal had been reached, and the vaccine was inoculating thousands every day, Reese couldn’t decide if it had been worth it, when it couldn’t even save Danielle.

***

A mystery on the boat, a missing crew member. Why does this always happen? The Captain wondered this as the boat was moved back to port, and the police that were called in, came aboard.

“What do you know?” The policeman asked point-blank.

“Not a lot. We were doing roll call and came up short.”

“The name?”

“Regis Menson.”

“Ah, mystery solved. A man washed ashore and was ID’ed with that name.”

“Oh great, now the paperwork is going to be even worse. Was it murder?”

“That we’ll have to see.”

“Don’t take too long, we’ve got places to be.”

“And people to push off the boat?”

“Maybe, maybe.”

***

I didn’t win, I looked beautiful and graceful. But I didn’t win. This is the reason we broke up. He only wanted to date someone who was going to the Olympics, and I didn’t even get close.

“Is that the only reason you cared about me?” I screamed.

“It’s over, let it go.” He had the nerve to turn around and walk to the door.

Full of anger I didn’t even realize the lamp was in my hand as it flew towards his head. Luckily he ducked, fast reflexes I guess. He didn’t even turn around. He really didn’t care.

“Good riddance!” And that was that.

My heart was broken by someone who only cared about the glory. I don’t know how I’ll stomach going to the next competition, and the next, especially if at that point I’m dating again. Maybe I won’t tell anybody I’m a gymnast from now on. Maybe I won’t even be one. Right now I hurt too much to decide. But I do know this. I’m glad I didn’t win.