Here's the Thing (writing exercise)

PT was killer last week and I'm about through with it. ready to go back to doing my aqua therapy stuff. Doing some graphic experiments when I can be at PC and have gone back to doing some writing. This is a quick little exercise I did, just running with a phrase you often hear, "Here's the thing."

"Here's the thing," he said, his tone growing solemn. [para] There was always a "thing," she thought wearily. [para] "If I don't take this job now, there might not be another opportunity." [para] "So, take it. Do what you think is best. I wouldn't want you to miss out on something good." [para] He smiled and shoved his hair back from his forehead. "Great! I knew you'd understand. So you'll go with?" [para] It was her turn to smile but she tried to keep it small and gentle. "No, I like it here; I'm going to stay." [para] "What?" [para] " I like this location, my new job, and I've made some great friends, although I know you don't like them." [para] He made a disparaging sound. "But this offer - it's supposed to be a great place to live. You can find another job, make friends - better friends." [para] "No, I don't think so." [para] "You're kidding!" He searched her face, sure she was pulling his leg. "But I thought you wanted to find a nice place to live, get married, raise a few rug rats? With this raise, we could maybe do that." [para] "Yes and no. I like this place, this job, these friends. Why move again? I know, it's better for you but I don't see how it is for me. [para] I would like to get married someday and have a couple children - not 'rug rats,' - but I won't be doing that with you." [para] For a minute he just stared at her, dumbfounded. She did not shy from his gaze but tried to keep her expression neutral as a feeling of exhileration swept through her. Why, she wondered, had she put this off? She'd known for a while the relationship was going nowhere and had lost track of why she'd ever been attracted to him in the first place. [para] "I don't understand." He clearly didn't. [para] She motioned for him to sit down beside her on the sofa. When he did, she reached over and patted his hand. "I'm sorry, but it's just not working out. I've been meaning to talk to you, to tell you I think we're wrong for each other. You'd be better off with someone else." [para] "Just like that? Six months together and you're going to throw it all away? There's someone else, isn't there? Someone at that office. Who is he?" [para] She let out a heavy sigh as she realized he was going to make things difficult. Not because he really cared about her, but because he never liked any of his little plans to go astray. She tried calmly to explain that there was no other man she was interested in. In their time together, she told him, she'd come to see that their dispositions were too different, their plans for the future too disimilar. [para] He began again in a weedling tone. "We can work this out. We just need more time. Come with me to . . . ." [para] She stood and began walking towards the bedroom. "I am going to spend the night at Sandra's. I'm sure you have a lot to do to get ready for this big opportunity." [para] "You can't walk out on me like this!" he declared angrily. "The least you could do is help me pack for my trip tomorrow!" [para] She continued to put together an overnight case for her visit. "Sure, I could do that, like I always do. But I think you can manage." [para] "Can't you manage to be civil about this! You're not giving me a chance . . . ." [para] She zippd the bag closed and turned to face the angry figure in the doorway. "I am managing to be civil. And why not? I manage everything else." [para] "What's that supposed to mean?" [para] Sighing heavily, she ducked under his arm and walked to the door. [para] "You could take the garbage down while you're going," she heard him say as the door closed behind her. [para] Sure, everytime she left the apartment, she could take the garbage out, or pick up something on her way home. It didn't matter what her plans were. But it did now. [space] copyright Sherry D'Ambrosio