The Suitcase
A Short, Short Story
Her mind was racing madly over so many details that it almost crowded out the constant feeling of despair and loneliness she had suffered for months. She didn't even have anywhere to go really. Should she just wander out there into a world where she would be a stranger, a wandering soul seeking her sanity?
She had lost track of how long she'd been sitting and staring at the suitcase. It was her only point of reference at the moment. It represented hope that things could be better. Anything would be better than this unending pain.
It hadn't always been this way. They had been happy for years, so why now? She had tried analyzing when everything started getting bad, when the long silences began and when the indifference crept into their lives. Once they had lived together, but now they coexisted. How had this happened?
She felt so weary. The constant act of pretending was exhausting. No one knew of her pain. Why should they? They both kept everything so well hidden that even she had been fooled for so long. It was only these last few months that she knew herself. She awoke one morning and found she was suffocating, suffocating with the knowledge that she could not take much more. That's when she had packed the suitcase.
She had even written the letter explaining as best she could that she could not exist like this anymore, although she knew he wouldn't understand. His mind wouldn't be able to absorb these feelings and thoughts. He only understood what he could see and touch. He would think her a fool to think everything wasn't normal. Normal, his favorite word.
She glanced at the clock ticking minute by minute and knew she must make a decision. She wanted to be gone before he got home because she knew she wouldn't be strong enough to deal with the confrontation. He would be home soon. He was like the clock, ticking each day off ritualistically.
She walked over to the door, picked up the suitcase and stood there for another moment. Go or stay, make up your mind.
Published by Pattie Byrd
Pattie Byrd is a freelance writer specializing in humor commentary, reviews and news articles. She has been published in magazines and several internet sites. Growing up in the South, she maintains her lov... View profile
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8 Comments
Post a CommentI think she left. What happened?
I think she stayed. Right? Excellent story.
This is not only a great short story, it's a country somg. No notice on this one!
At this point I would almost pay AC to send me publication notices. Trying to play catch up is hard. This piece was utterly amazing; easily one of your best but then I love everything you write.
Touching, Pattie. By the way, no email notification arrived for this one. It appears to be pretty random today - Memmay told me about it this morning. Just so you know. Cheers.
Life's decisions leave us at a crossroads. I hope this is purely fiction and isn't a personal tale.
Oh this is such a great piece. I know of so many people who were in this woman's position. I think we all must go through this in different degrees in our lives. Your talent never ceases to amaze me.
I'm so happy to comment on this great writing!