Already Gone — Fiction

Combination of Jennifer Nichole Wells’ One Word Photo Challenge (Cold) and Curtis Bausse’s Pic ‘n’ Post challenge. Click on the links to get more information and stay involved in this side of the blogosphere! (Btw, sorry for the blurry image).

I took this picture, but the story below is pure fiction.

~*~

Matt’s pulse quickens as Lucilia zips up the red suitcase lying on the bed. Their black sheets are still crumpled. Her smell still lingers all over him, but now she’s…

Lucilia purses her lips. “I’ll send money every month.”

“You can’t leave,” he says through clenched teeth.

She buttons up her white winter coat and grips the handle of the suitcase. “Give Sam a kiss for me.”

Every muscle in Matt’s body seizes up, but he sprints in front of her before she can leave the room. “Stay.” He holds her gaze and shivers despite the warmth from the carpet. He kisses her cheek. “Please. We need you.” He trails his lips down her neck to her collar bone.

Lucilia leans into him. Yet the weight of guilt and contempt steels her. She shoves him away.

“Lu—”

“No!” She sidesteps him. “I never wanted kids. You did. And now . . . now Taco Tuesdays? Did you really think I’d keep living like this?”

“It’s snowing hard outside. Just wait until tomorrow.” He reaches for her, hoping he’ll have more time to change her mind.

She yanks her arm away.

Anger swells inside him. “What am I supposed to tell Sam?”

She swipes at a stray tear that’s rolling down her face. “Goodbye, Matt.” She staggers out of the room and their lives.

His chest heaves. His body shakes.

“Daddy?”

His heart jumps in his throat as the pitter-patter of tiny feet stops behind him.

“Is Mommy going to the store?”