Looking for batteries, my hand rumbled around in the back of an old drawer in the bedroom and felt a paper and pulled it out. It was a crumpled envelope. A name, written in my husband's handwriting, stared out at me. "Lorrie," was what it said. I knew no one by that name. I realized I was holding it as if it were a snapping turtle.
Fearing I might faint, I eased myself down slowly onto the edge of the bed and sat for what seemed like years. Suddenly I felt very old. I discovered a letter inside and decided to remove and read it.
I took a deep breath and read. Tender love words glared back at me. So did tears. They sprang up with no help from me. There was so much love
emanating from that filthy, damn letter. His words were words of ending a relationship. Only, the letter in my hand had never met "Lorrie." No wonder he treated me like a maid, a valet, his girl Friday and everything in between for eighteen years. He never even tried to give me a child. I couldn't remember the last time we had sex. But flowers he had sent every six months or so.
So many things were beginning to make sense. I felt like one of those old nags you put blinders on and lead around. I got up and walked into the kitchen. From the back of a cabinet, I pulled out a bottle of medicine. I had kept this part of my life a secret. What would he say if he knew I was getting counseling for want of killing myself? He would call me weak and foolish, maybe even kick me out.
That would be perfect for him and "Lorrie."
Suddenly, I got a thought. It made me feel better. I got out a bag of flour and poured it in the floor. Carefully, I wrote the word:
"CHEAT." in large letters. I sliced across my thumb and dropped blood
into the word. I opened the nearly full lethal lithium bottle, turned it up and without water I emptied the bottle. I got comfortable and sat
on the rug next to the word waiting for eternal sleep.
A contest entry
- Love hurts. by Yoko.
105 points, ended June 14, 2008, 20 entries
• next story in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 6 of 6
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This was so painfully real to me. It was unbelieveable heart-wrenching. I sincerely felt how you felt reading this. Wonderful job. Excellent story. Thank you for writing.
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Painful
Sometimes a piece leaves one at a loss for appropriate response. Of course, this is one such time. Quite a portait of pain.
However, as to the writing, may I suggest something which might give it a bit more breadth, as a story: A flashback or two to paint 1)The woman; 2)Her "away" husband; 3)The failed relationship. THEN...your endingm DESPITE WHATEVER sketches you draw, will pack so much more impact and power. Also...I would leave the words "for eternal sleep" off the end. Just "sat on the rug next to the word...waiting" is enough Plenty!
Nicely written piece.
GA
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Wow. I deathly hope this aint real, if it is, I'm so sorry. It was nicly writen. So saaaad. Gooooood job! Keep writing. Hehe, mew!
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Wow and wow
I hope this wasn't a real expereince but if it was you survied and in that told an amazing story that I'm sure we can all connect with. This was strong and bold.
Goodb stuff
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wow! please tell me this wasn't real life experience! great write!
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Intense.
There's some pretty deep emotions going on in here, and it's definitely a good start to something. I can't help but wonder if her thoughts of suicide are only because of her husband, or is there something more? Very, Very nice. Keep up the good work. :]
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