Flash Fiction Entry - Neon

Someone was knocking at the door. The kitchen door slammed and the dog scrabbled across the floor to greet him. "You're home," I say, turning to face the man in the doorway.

The signs were all there in the beginning but I chose to look the other way. Now they flash neon bright through my grey days.

"Honey, don't be mad at me. I didn't mean to stay away so long. I wanted to call, but..." He shot me a sheepish grin and rubbed a hand across his jaw. His nails were dirty and broken. He needed a haircut, his clothes were dirty, and mud caked his boots.

"My cell phone doesn't seem to be working right. I finished the job down in Georgia and tried to give you a jingle. Christ I'm hungry, ya got anything to eat? Hows 'bout a hug? I missed you, babe." He reached for me then and I caught the sharp smell of whiskey and the pungent stink of unwashed body.

I stood stiffly in his embrace remembering the phone call I had received. His boss had called weeks ago. "Where's that no-account man of yours? He didn't show up at the job site today or yesterday. He is done here. The sheriff is looking for him, got some questions for him. There was an armed robbery down at the liquor store, someone identified him. You let the police know soon as you hear from him."

"You go get a shower. I'll warm you up some supper," I told him.

I pulled leftover chicken, potatoes, and green beans from the fridge. I reached back for the butter and pulled out the beer I kept on hand for him. I piled a plate full and popped it in the microwave. I sat the beer and silverware down on the table and sat to wait.

Turning, to gaze out the darkened window, I watched pictures dance through my head. Children, who were never born. "Not yet, darlin'," he'd said, " can't afford them. Besides, we are only young once, let's live it up. You can't quit that job anyways, we need the money. This won't hurtcha at all. I promise." Grandkids, which didn't exist. Didn't ask for another cookie or story or for grammy to kiss their boo-boos. Family, long gone. "Your folks is just too stuffy babe. I just can't stand to have 'em 'round. Go on and visit them if you must, but I just can't cotton to 'em." I didn't go, chose instead to stand by my man. Now it was too late, half were gone the rest strangers to me.

I stood and went to the phone on the hall table. I caught sight of myself reflected in the gold framed mirror over the table. I was plain as ever and now had started to gain weight. My hair was graying and breasts sagging. A deep frown line creased my brow. My old grey sweat suit spoke loudly of the many lonely hours, days, years I had endured. I pulled my hand back from the phone as if my fingers had brushed something hot. Raising my rough red fingers to my face I brushed the tears away and imagined the empty days stretching forward.

He is mine. He loves me. "Supper's ready," I called.