“Mr. Patrick.”

“Yes, Kristy?”

“My mommy says that babies come from storks, but yesterday I saw a baby come from my mommy’s stomach. So I wanna know how the storks put the baby in my mommy.”

I’m busy taking the crayons from Billy so he’ll stop eating them, so it takes me a moment to answer her. Everyone—all the kindergarteners in my class, there are fifteen of them—is sitting at their tables, drawing a picture of what they did this fall break.

Fall break…. I don’t want to deal with that right now.

“Mr. Patrick!”

“Oh—yes? Look, Kris, I don’t know. Ask your mommy.”

“But she said she wouldn’t tell me until I’m older, and I. Want. To. Know. NOW!” With each word she slams her hand against the table. I’m left wondering why I ever wanted to teach this kids anyway as Billy finds another crayon almost magically and stuffs it into his mouth.

The kids around me are chatting about their parents, their dogs, their cats, blah blah blah. The conversations begins to blur and they ramble on and on. Innocent. Hearts still intact. Static begins fills my head.

All I can think about is the day it all broke on break.

It won’t leave me alone even after I’ve tried to leave it.

                   [*+*+*]

Saturday—The Day it Happened

I should have noticed it. I really should have. But I was blind with bliss of having two men who loved me equally—or so I thought.

I had gotten up early to make breakfast for all of us to celebrate the last few days of fall break. Sunday was my last day because of teacher workday and I wanted to spend that time alone to prepare. So that Saturday we were all going to a carnival taking place at the fairgrounds in our town. The town is small so everyone knows everyone. It was easy to acquire three reasonably priced tickets for all of us.

I was cheerful, that day, mixing the batter of the instant pancakes with the flick of my whisk while keeping an eye on the omelettes on the skillet. I just felt that something special was going to happen. Something life changing.

Ironic, right?

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Tim, a tall blonde whose face portrayed every single thought he had, stumbled out our bedroom running a hand through his hair. We’d been—been, now, because of the events about to transpire—together for four years.

_Four. _

Years.

At the beginning of this year, I wanted to try a polyamory. It had been my wish for several years; to have people love me without fault. He said yes.

Now remember that.

Tim went behind me and rested his cheek on my hair, disturbing the bed-headed curls. “Good morning.” His voice was a sleepy rumble, and I flushed at his hands on my waist. I had to push him off though. I still had pancakes to cook.

“Good morning to you too! Now take a seat at the table while I finish this up.” I poured appropriate amounts of batter onto the buttered pan, then put the bowl on the counter to grab a spatula from the bottom cabinet.

Tim murmured a response before yawning and heading over to the table were three chairs awaited him.

I wish I would’ve kept it two, or at least found another man. If I didn’t choose him so quickly, none of this would’ve happened.

Finn—Finn—walked out our room fully dressed a few minutes after I’d finished breakfast and laid the plates on the table full with the food. I knew how much both men wanted, so Tim was pleased and ate his food while I went to go get some glasses—arranging my own where it tilted on my face—to have some juice in.

“What’s this about?” I heard Finn ask Tim in the dining/living room.

Tim didn’t answer, I think he was chewing, but then he said. “Patty made breakfast again.”

“You mean Patrick, right?”

“I—well, Finn, I know what you mean, but can’t we—“

“Aaand, I’m back with the drinks!” Both men stopped their talking when I came in with three full glasses I my hands. Finn gave me a glare, flicking his long hair my way rudely. I was used to it. I thought he still cared for me at the time.

“Let me help you with that…Patrick.” I didn’t register the way Tim said my name, but gave a thanks when he took his own cup away from me. I placed down Finn’s own and began to dunk mine as I took my seat. Finn did as well, though he was still ignoring me.

The bitch looked like he was enjoying my food, though.

“So, are you guys ready for tonight?”

“Uhm, about that Patrick—“

I continued, waving a hand at Tim. “Just wait, I know you don’t like clowns and such, but we can skip that if you’d like.”

“P-Patrick, please li—“

I took out my phone and looked at the picture I took of the flyer when it got handed out at the school. “Ooh, they have funnel cake there, I’m definitely going.”

“Patrick!”

I looked up at Tim, who flushed then looked down sheepishly. “Look, uhm, this…this isn’t working.” He started to mumble at the end, twisting his hands together as though he was uncomfortable.

I should have known. I should have. But I said:

“What do you mean? We can go somewhere else if you’d like to. If Finn agrees as well.”

“No, you idiot.” Finn hissed, finally stepping in. “We aren’t working—more importantly you. We don’t want to date you anymore, Patrick.”

I blinked.

I took a deep breath.

I let it out.

I blinked again.

“What?”

“Patrick…I—I wanted to tell you this after the carnival. You have been so kind, and I don’t know what I would’ve done without you all these years, but—“

“Shut up, Tim. Patrick, let me put it like this so that you can understand.” I looked up numbly to see Finn giving me his fakest smile. Though now I don’t think it was fake. “You plus Tim plus me equals a negative. Taking you out of the equation makes Tim plus me equals a positive. Do you understand?”

The food in front of me was warm, and buttery, making my stomach ache. It was too sweet for the misfortune that had latched itself onto me. I wanted to cry, a thing that I had spent many years trying to control. I just wanted to cry.

“You’re. You’re both breaking up to me.” I hate how small my voice was then, but it was like my dream was shattering into pieces right in front of me.

“Yeah. What else do you think this is? Now pack the rest of your bags—I’ve already started—all you have to do is get the rest of your crap.” Finn scooped the rest of the eggs into his mouth. Tim had stopped eating like me and was picking at the edge of the table in silence. “I don’t like you, romantically or physically, and Tim doesn’t either. In his words, “It’s just not fair to you to be trapped by us”. Isn’t that what you said Tim? Along with other things like—“

“That’s enough, Finnian.”

Finn frowned, but stopped talking and stood with his plate. He said to me. “I want you out by sundown. Tim and I have to get to the fairgrounds before then anyway.”

And I don’t know how I did it, but I went, on shaky legs, to our—no, their—room and gathered my stuff, biting my lips to try and keep the tears inside, but pathetic little whimpers kept making their way out.

Fuck. Fuck. FUCK.

FUCKFUCKFUCKFUCK—

I sipped at the tea Issac gave me, burrowing in his blanket that his boyfriend, David, had given me when I arrived hours earlier. My eyes were puffy, and most likely red, and my face felt ashy and dry with tears. It seemed I couldn’t keep them contained when Issac saw my bags when I knocked at his door and said:

“They broke up with you, didn’t they?”

He had jumped when I dropped my bags and grabbed him to bawl in his chest. There were stains on his sweater now that were definitely from me.

“So. Are we sure we don’t want to get revenge?” Issac settled on the couch after he poured tea for the both of us. David was off in his office, giving us privacy, and I was warm, warm, warm in the plush, comfy chair that I seemed to sink in. I felt a bit weak, but the tea gave me strength.

“It’s fine.”

“No! It’s not fine at all, Patty. But if you really don’t want to do anything, then don’t. I’m still making a post on My Story though.” He stroked his beard as though thinking what he was going to say in the description.

A small laugh tumbled out of me at that, but then I sighed and drank a gulp of my tea. The china felt cool in my hands despite the temperature of its contents. It calmed something inside of me, and I was glad I have friends like Issac.

“Where are you going to stay? I mean, I’ll let you stay here for as long as you need to, but the dating have to do what the dating do.”

“Yeah, I know you and David have to smash every once in a while—“

“God, don’t say it like that. My students say that too much on subjects they really shouldn’t even know about. It scares me.”

“—I’ll probably just move back in with my Mom for the time being.”

“Speaking of her…did you…?”

Mom would be…excited…to say the least if she heard that my relationship had gone south. She isn’t could hearted, I love her dearly, it’s just that she would rather see me with a woman rather than a man. She never says this in my face, but it practically oozes out of her whenever I come to visit. “No,” I sip on my cup some more, “not yet.”

“Mhh-k.” Issac leaned over then patted my knee. “The spare room is ready whenever you’re ready to lay your head. You know the rules: no late night snack heists—unless I’m apart of it. No drinking. No using my soap. You can use David’s if you didn’t bring some, or you can look under the sink. And most importantly!” He stared me straight in the eye. “Don’t. Mess. Up. The. Sheets. That shit takes forever to clean. Even with David’s fresh money. I don’t like him getting angry at me, so please, please, my baby Patty, don’t fuck up his sheets.”

I smiled. “Yes, sir.”

“Well then,” he stood, popping his knuckles, “Goodnight, Patty, it’ll get better soon. I know it.”

I watched him walk off, empty cup in my hand and a warm feeling in my chest. I could feel the tears coming again. It twisted my stomach and it felt like someone was poking me hard.

“Sure it will.”

                   [*+*+*]

In the Fae Realm Avenbreaker, Land of the Light

“What do you mean we need a human to participate in the tournament?!”

The solider shrugs. “The Queen wishes what she wishes.”

Gavin runs a hand through his hair, black on one side and white on the other, pupiless eyes wide as he walks back home with a tapping hand on his hip. “Oh skies, what are we gonna do about this?” —more importantly— “Oh help me! What’s Ashvier gonna say?”

200th writing! 100 day streak?! Exactly 2000! YAY! Sorry it’s so long, but thanks if you read it all. I’m so happy to have found all of you in this thing we call life ❤️. Have an amazingly wonderful day

I open my eyes and see a wall. A wall? Oh no. The wall! Mattress beneath me, wall in front of me, headboard above me. I’m on the wrong side of the bed! This is not good!

Usually saying you woke up on the wrong side of the bed is just a figure of speech. For my family: it means you literally have woke up on the wrong side of the bed and had a bad day.

Today was going to be rough.

August awoke in a fury, his sweat dripping down his nose, into the surface above him. A faint hum played in the background. The area was dimly lit and he could distinguish dark planks above. But something seemed eerily off about them. As his mind began to clear, he felt the tight pull of something wrapped around his chest. As he attempted to reach the object, he realized his hands were also bound. And his feet.

  He felt his back pressed up against a material sharp and slightly flexible, most likely metal. He craned his neck to look to his right, where he saw light shedding through.

The wood above him seemed more polished, something a house would possibly contain. Was he at home? His house did not include that sort of ceiling, and either way his body was way too close to it for to be a ceiling, or he may be in an attic, but it was certainly not his as he rented an apartment with a lack of such a thing.

But the sweat dripped onto the wood.

He was upside down.

 And he recognized that wood below him. They were Evan's bedroom floors. August had not seen him for a while, adding to the confusion. 
       At this conclusion he spontaneously called for Evan. Had he realized what had happened? Since Evan was introverted, this gave August hope he was nearby and find where he was. 
 Silence met by a clobber of steps were the response, as well as August's unfortunate late realization. Evan most likely already knew where August was.

And now he knew that August knew too.

I woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning. But I’ve been doing that every morning since you passed. The bed is too big now and I feel swallowed by it every night. Pulled into the depths of the sheets and comforter melting into darkness.

I make the bed just the way you liked it, with all 7 pillows placed precisely at the head of the bed. At the opposite end I fold the extra blanket long ways and lay it gently in place. I keep them all there when I go to sleep but each morning those pillows and blanket are strewn across the floor; pushed aside, forgotten, and disheveled. And I, I am on your side of the bed. The wrong side. Wrong because I shouldn’t be the one lying there. You should. Wrong because we were supposed to have more time. We bought this bed together, we shopped, meticulously mind you, for the exact right one. One that you so cutely quoted “provided the support for our marriage”. One that had a 20-year guarantee. But you didn’t make it 20 years.

So I woke up on the wrong side of the bed, and I put those pillows and blanket back where they belonged and I had to continue with my day. Continue with every day. And come back every night to that same reminder.

I’ve kept your side of the room the same as well. Your half finished book still rests on the bedside table with your bookmark placed inside. Your hair tie and favorite bracelet remain next to a framed picture of us from a day out at the park. One of our best days. I can still hear your laughter in the photograph from me tackling you playfully to the ground. And there’s a note on the table as well from me, reminding you that I was going to be late coming home that day but to text me with what you’d like me to bring home for dinner. You had kissed that note leaving a perfect imprint of your lips. I thought it was funny at the time that you felt compelled to kiss it but what I hadn’t understood was how much you appreciated the things I did for you. And now I have that daily reminder when I see your lips on the paper. When I see you on the paper.

So I woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning and you were still gone and life kept moving on. But I’ll keep making that bed for you.

The problem of a bad mood when you have superpowers is the tendency for things to go very wrong, very quickly.

And Nigella wasn't even a bad person. In fact, she counted herself among the few decent souls in the city. Except for a small number - not even enough to be called a handful - of days when she woke up on the wrong side of the bed.

Like today, for instance.

It was the noise that woke her. The incessant pounding of the drill that burrowed deep in her skull and bang, bang, banged against her brain. Like one of those cymbal crashing monkeys.

Gritting her teeth, Nigella buried herself under her duvet, sure the drilling would stop soon.

Surely?

But it didn't. On and on it droned in its repetitive drawl, like that elderly relative you tried your hardest to avoid at family gatherings, until Nigella felt the last straw of her self-control snap.

She threw back her bedcovers and leapt towards the window, muscles already tensing in her shoulders, hands already clenched into fists. Power overflowed from her lithe frame at such a pace that both panes of glass shattered.

A growl built deep in Nigella's throat at the sight of the mess - a mess that she'd have to tidy up! - and she forced her rapidly bulking body out onto the fire escape before she grew too big and broke the wall.

The iron supports groaned under her increasing weight, the banister buckling where she gripped it. But the only thing bouncing through her brain - besides the shrieking drill - was making the damn thing stop.

She threw herself from the third floor, landing on the pavement where concrete crumbled beneath her bare feet, and stormed towards the set of roadworks, very helpfully signposted with neon-orange cones.

'Quit it!' Nigella barked at the nearest huddle of workers, who yelped and ducked for cover. It was hardly a surprise, her power had rendered her a hulking red - was monster too crude a word? - towering eight-feet tall.

'Y-yes,' the nearest man stuttered, his moustache wobbling with fear, 'sorry. We'll stop.'

Nigella smiled, revealing two rows of sharp teeth. 'There, that wasn't so hard, was it?'

'N-no,' the man replied, clutching his yellow hard hat in shaking hands. 'S-sorry, again.'

With a satisfied nod, Nigella turned homeward, her body already shrinking. At this rate - she'd be able to use the stairs without snapping them!

But it wasn't until she'd cocooned herself in the comfy confines of her bedcovers that she realised she wouldn't be able to get back to sleep after all.

Because she'd broken her window, hadn't she?

“Oh, aren’t you grouchy today! Wake up on the wrong side of the bed?”

“Wrong side? I didn’t even wake up in the bed! I was studying all night! The last time I remember, it was 4:37 AM. I fell asleep, on the floor, in a puddle of my own drool, surrounded by notes! My laptop had died in the night and I woke up 15 minutes late… Yes! I am grouchy! I’ve got a sore hip and a crick in my neck! There’s no ‘wrong side’ if you weren’t even in the bed!”

A loud slurp of coffee.

“God, I HATE college!”

I was writing a whole story, but my sister closed my tab. I don’t really feel like continuing it at the moment, but I will probably edit this tomorrow and write it.

He had been in a deep sleep. However, he was jolted awake by the sounds of the local oldies radio station. He opened his eyes and realized he wasn’t facing his clock radio as he usually was. He frowned, then yawned.

Larry rolled over to face the offending alarm clock. He glared at it, hazel eyes narrowing to slits. He sat up, leaving the radio playing. He ran a hand through his curls, then scratched at a couple places. He was definitely not a morning person. He sighed and realized he could hear Balki singing softly out in either the living room or kitchen.

Larry tossed back the blankets and swung his legs over the side. He stood and stretched… then winced as his lower back complained about the movement. He sighed. It was going to be one of those days.

———

Balki sang softly in Myposian as he worked on making breakfast and setting the table. He heard Larry’s radio come on and knew his cousin would be out soon. He started the coffee upon hearing the radio. It would be ready when Larry emerged from his room.

Balki swapped to whistling and made the batter for the pancakes. As he stirred, he heard a thump, then a muffled voice. He couldn’t make out what was said, though he was pretty sure he shouldn’t repeat it nor tell Larry he heard him curse.

Larry shuffled out of his room, rubbing his head. He immediately went into the bathroom and closed the door.

Balki paused, listening. He heard the shower start and sighed. He knew Larry was in a bad mood, otherwise he would have at least come for a cup of coffee before heading for the shower.

Balki had learned that Larry was very much a creature of habit. They had only known each other for a few months now, yet Balki knew the little nuances of Larry’s moods.

First, he knew Larry was not a morning person and was only slightly better after coffee. Larry had once said that coffee helped him think… or what you call it when you make up things in your mind. He hadn’t had any coffee yet when he attempted to explain that.

Balki also knew he would be in a bad mood if his back was hurting which it had been doing on and off since they had met. Larry had never told him how his back had been hurt originally. Balki wanted to ask, but couldn’t figure out the best time to do it.

The shower had shut off while Balki’s thoughts had meandered. Larry came out in his robe, his curls slightly dripping. He immediately went to retrieve his mug and poured a cup. He took a long drink just standing there, then topped off again.

Finally, Larry looked at Balki, a slightly pained expression on his face. “Morning, Balki.”

“Cousin Larry, are you having a bad morning?” Balki asked, figuring he might as well get right to the point.

Larry sighed. “Sort of. I was trying to get something out of my closet and stood too quickly and knocked my head on the shelf. I was seeing stars so I went right to the shower.”

“Oh was it the big dipper?” Balki asked.

Larry looked at him for a very long moment. His mind wouldn’t wrap around what he had said to make Balki say that. He shook his head. “What’s for breakfast?”

“Myposian pancakes,” Balki announced, grinning.

Larry groaned. “Please don’t tell me what’s in them.”

Balki just grinned.

Larry sighed. It was going to be a long day.

———

Ritz Discount had been open for a few hours though it’s owner, Donald Twinkacetti—or Twinkie—had yet to make an appearance. Balki had been able to get several small jobs done. Larry was due in soon as he would stay on a few extra hours to close up.

Balki looked at the club clock. Larry was late, which was unusual. He was generally early for, well, everything. Finally, the door opened and Larry trudged in. He was half bent over and holding his lower back. “Cousin Larry!” Balki exclaimed and rushed over to him.

“Don’t touch me!” Larry hissed through clenched teeth. He made it to the counter then looked up.

Balki’s eyes widened. “Cousin, why you have a black eye?!”

“Fight over a parking spot. Apparently I stole a guy’s spot. He punched me… repeatedly,” Larry said. “I need to sit…” He started to slump where he stood against the counter.

Balki rushed him over to the older barber’s chair and sat Larry down. “You sit here and let Balki take care of things.”

Larry frowned. He hated being babied like this, but he supposed he hadn’t much choice. He was feeling rather lightheaded after all.

Balki reappeared with an ice pack. “And I found…” He pulled out a small bottle of ibuprofen from his pocket, plus a water bottle he had tucked under his arm.

Larry sighed in relief. “Thank you, Balki.” He took the ibuprofen and washed them down with the water, then he put the ice pack to his eye. He hissed slightly, then sighed again as the cool relieved the sting around his eye. “Why do these things always happen to me?” He asked, rhetorically.

“I do’n know, Cousin Larry,” Balki responded. He had an idea Larry wasn’t wanting an answer, but felt he should say something.

“I’m not a bad person. I mean well, even if I might not always go about things as I should…” Larry moaned and leaned his head in his hand, propping up the ice pack.

Balki patted Larry’s shoulder, frowning, then went to the counter. A customer came up with a question.

Larry stopped moaning while the customer was there, but he couldn’t stop the frown. He just plain felt horrible and wished he’d stayed in bed.

———

A short while later, Larry got up and went to his cousin. “Balki, I can take over. You need to get some lunch.”

“But—“ Balki began to argue.

“Balki, please don’t argue. Just go get lunch.”

“Okay, Cousin Larry. I’ll bring back you something,” Balki agreed and offered.

Larry hesitated. He didn’t have much appetite at the moment. “Yeah, okay.”

Balki patted Larry’s shoulder, then headed out.

Larry sighed. At least it was a slow day…

…Or so he had been led to believe. Not five minutes after Balki left did four people come in at nearly the same time.

Larry fielded questions, cashed out purchases, and even carried one purchase out to an elderly woman’s car. He got them all out within a half hour and Balki returned to an empty store.

“No one come?” Balki asked. He set the lunch bags on the counter.

Larry groaned. He was leaning heavily on his arms on the counter. “Four customers all at once.” He sighed and flopped forward on the counter with his head on his arms.

Twinkacetti chose that moment to enter the store. “Appleton, sleep on your own time. Turnip, wake him up.”

“But Mr. Twinkacetti—?” Balki began, at the same time that Larry lifted his head.

Twinkacetti grimaced. “What the hell happened to you, Appleton? Did you make an unwanted pass at a girl?” He grinned, amused at his own joke.

“I’ve had a rough day, Mr. Twinkacetti,” Larry said. He could have attempted to explain, but he felt so weary that he just didn’t want to.

Twinkacetti sneered. “You don’t think I care, do you?” He laughed and made his way to his office, laughing while he walked the length of the store.

Larry looked utterly beaten.

“Cousin Larry, go home. I can stay until stores closes. Please go home and get rest,” Balki urged. He gently nudged his cousin.

“Okay…” Larry agreed, softly. He shuffled out the door of the as Balki shook his head.

Balki turned and looked towards Twinkacetti’s office. He wanted so badly to tell the man in most uncertain terms what he thought of him right now… but doing so could affect their jobs and Balki didn’t want to bring home bad news.

———

Larry had opted to take the stairs to the apartment. He didn’t want to risk getting trapped in the elevator with the way his day was going. He put the key in the lock and turned the knob. He turned on the lights, then locked the door behind him.

He started shuffling towards his room, but paused and looked around. Something seemed amiss, but he couldn’t put his finger on it. Larry started to his room again, but stopped outside the door. He didn’t remember closing his door that morning. He was sure he’d left it open.

Larry stepped back, then noticed a window was open. His eyes widened like saucers and his eyebrows lifted high. He almost gasped, but clamped a hand over his mouth. He froze like that, unsure what to do. Should he leave and risk being robbed or should he try to stop the robber and—

The bedroom door open and the intruder came out. The man was slightly taller than Larry and more heavy set. He glared at Larry. “What the hell are you doing here?”

“I live here!” Larry exclaimed. “What are you doing here?!”

“Right now, I work here,” the intruder smirked. “Why don’t you have a seat on the couch while I finish my job and you won’t get hurt?” He went back to the bedroom.

Larry didn’t move. Something deep down inside him snapped at that moment. He’d had enough. He advanced on the intruder, eyes blazing.

Larry flung himself at the intruder’s back, grabbing him around the waist. The robber yelped and fell forward to the floor, with Larry still holding on. The robber’s face hit the floor, breaking his nose. He groaned as Larry shifted to sit on the man’s lower back.

Forgetting his own back pain, Larry reached for the phone on his nightstand and called 9-1-1, then he called down to the store. He explained to Balki what happened.

Fortunately, Twinkacetti had left again so Balki closed the store and went up to the apartment. He arrived as the intruder was taken away. Larry had finished with the police and sat on the couch.

“Cousin!” He jumped over the back of the couch and landed beside Larry. “You a hero!”

“Yeah, I guess I am.” Larry sighed. He looked two seconds away from dozing off. “Balki…”

Balki put an arm around him. “Cousin Larry, you beat that bad day off with a stick. Why do’n you nap and I make dinner. How does Ding Ding Machmuud sound?” He grinned.

“I survived today. I think I can handle pig snout with saffron,” Larry replied, smiling faintly.

-End-

I had the feeling that the day wouldn’t be a good one the moment I spilled my hot coffee over my lap as I was reading the newspaper. I’m not the clumsy type, up until today I have no idea how that cup slipped from my hand and burned my thighs. As I cleaned myself with a bunch of napkins, I realised I wouldn’t have the chance to go home and change before lunch time. So I spent the whole morning with a pair of light-grey pants with stains of brown here and there, much to my colleagues amusement. And a nasty smell of coffee. I love coffee, but not when the smell comes from my own pants. On top of that, I had three meetings that morning where I was the presenter. Impossible to stay at my desk hiding my dirty pants, so I just had to endure my colleagues trying their best - and failing - to keep a straight face.

I finally went home quickly at lunch time. Had a quick shower and put on a new pair of pants. Then my phone rang. It was Karen, my fiancée. She sounded troubled and said she needed to talk to me soonest. We made arrangements to have dinner at The Bistro that evening.

“Are you ok, Karen?” I asked as I tried to slip my arm through the new shirt’s sleeve. I was going to be late for the afternoon but I wanted to make sure she was alright.

“Yes, I am. We’ll chat later.”

And she hung up just like that. Not much her type. It seemed that she was hiding something.

Anyway, I tried to dismiss my thoughts about her throughout the afternoon. Our wedding would be in only two months time, maybe she was nervous about it or just wanted to ask for my opinion about the dress or something else. I definitely had no reasons to be worried. Or so I told myself.

When I arrived at The Bistro, Karen was there already. Another oddity. Usually I had to wait for her. As I stretched my neck to kiss her lips, she moved her head so that I’d kiss her cheek instead. For some reason, my heart started beating quicker. A funny cold chill ran through my body. Karen had never done that.

“How was your day?” she asked as I sat on the chair in front of her.

“Not great, to be honest.”

I told her about the spilled coffee on my pants and how I had to present three meetings before I could go home change.

“I’m so sorry about that, Steve.”

“Ah well, one of those days.” I say with a shrug, trying to sound like it really wasn’t a big deal.

After the waiter brought us our drinks, she held my hand and looked at me in the eyes, with a sad smile.

“Steve, I am so sorry I am going to spoil your day further.” she stared.

Again that funny chill. My stomach shrank too and I bursted in a cold sweat. I tried to shake off any thoughts of what I was now terribly sure Karen would say.

“You’ve met someone else?”

“No, I didn’t. But I want to break our engagement.”

Bang! She had just shot me with an invisible bullet. The restaurant started spinning around, in a mixture of bright yellow and red colours fusing and making me dizzy. I heard people’s chit-chat from a distance even though they were right there, so close. I was aware of the Earth’s real speed now, I couldn’t even see Karen’s face as much as I tried to focus. She was all blurred in shades of pale pink.

“I’m so sorry, Steve.” she said and I removed my hand from hers. I never saw any of this coming. We had been engaged for over a year, she had never complained. Why this change? On a day that I had made a fool of myself in front of everybody.

“What is the reason?” I finally asked, my voice dying in my parched throat. I reached for my glass.

She exhaled a long sigh without facing me. Silence fell upon us, thick and heavy. I stared at her, inquisitively. Even though her head was bowed, I wanted her to feel my bitter eyes on her. I tried to keep cool though. I wouldn’t yell at her nor throw a tantrum. The last thing I needed was to have the whole restaurant gazing at us. Then I saw she was weeping.

“I’m sorry, Steve. I just don’t feel I should do it. I don’t feel as in love with you as I was in the beginning.”

I didn’t know what to respond. I almost wished she had indeed met someone else. I’d have all the reasons to be ugly to her and she’d be the only one to blame. I thought of an ex-girlfriend I had while at university. I had also broken up with her in the same fashion. One day I was in love, the other day I wasn’t. Period. Diana had been terribly hurt but there really wasn’t anything I could have done. I didn’t know what had changed. I didn’t have someone else. It just ended. Poofff, just like that.

“I don’t know why it has changed, Steve.” Karen went on as if somehow she had guessed my thoughts. “All I can say is that I’m really very sorry and I hope we can stay friends.”

I had not stayed friends with Diana. She didn’t want to. Did I now want to remain friends with Karen?

The waiter approached with our food. As I plunged the fork on my roast and started slicing it, I thought I didn’t really know what to say. I never saw this evening come.

“I’ll have to give it a thought, Karen. I cannot decide now.”

“It’s ok, I understand.”

I kept slicing and slicing, long after the roast and the potatoes were cut. I had to let out my anger somehow. What a shit day this one had been.

It’s a cool morning and I haven’t slept well at all. Without opening my eyes I roll to you but I’m met with a thud I groan “ouch” I pout I look around how did I fall off of the bed? I ask myself. I get up and I look around I see a blue post-it note on your bedside table. “Good morning my love don’t be mad, I didn’t want to wake you but I was called into work early. I love you you x” I smile at the note before pouting. That’s why I fell I already went searching for you in my sleep and I was on your side of the bed, so when I rolled to look for you there was no bed left.

I kiss the note and go downstairs to make some coffee and breakfast so I can take it to you on my way to work. Once I’m there I get cooking on a breakfast burritos with steak, egg, bacon and avocado with some herbs and spices, oh and definitely some cheese. I wrap it up with a homemade tortilla and put it in a container. I go get dressed and ready for work myself and make sure I have time to eat with you at work. I get coffee in To go cup for me and in a canister for you so it stays hot.

I know I’m in mood, so I search our playlist and just play our songs. It helps but seeing you will help more. Just a good morning kiss and a ‘hey baby’. I pull up at your work place and grab everything, a big smile on my face feeling better already knowing I get to see you.

I walk up and enter the front door and I’m greeted by one of your co workers “heyyyy there. I was expecting you and so was your wife. She told me to tell you she’s sorry and that she left a note on her desk for you. She’s out on a call sweetie. Though she was looking forward to breakfast with you this morning. She was disappointed to go out but don’t tell her I told you that.” I slump but force a giggle “thanks Gladys” I say sweetly and go into your office.

As I place your breakfast and coffee down on your desk I see your blue post-it note. “Hey baby I wish I was here when you got here but obviously I’m not. I’ll come see you at lunch if I can. Thank you for the food and coffee. You spoil me. I love you.” I smile and shake my head you always make my heart explode with warm love. I grab a blue post it note and write “gosh I love you and I love your notes. Thank you for always making me smile and showing me your love xxx”

I walk out and drive to work. Two people cut me off and just irresponsible driving. It didn’t help my mood and I won’t ever deny I have rod rage because that, that I get from my beautiful grandmother. That lady wow wow wow she has two modes behind the wheel, calm and happy to HULK SMASH. Anyways that put me back in my bad mood.

I get to work and slam my bag down “woah there someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed” said my co worker. I roll my eyes “you’re not kidding. I literally woke up on the wrong side of the bed. And I also fell out of it!” I huff “but gosh who gives out divers licenses in this town? Because I swear everyone got theirs out of cereal box. Idiots everywhere it’s messed up. No one knows how to use an indicator or a roundabout.” I throw myself down in the chair “damn girl take a chill pill but you right! But as for work it’s just us today we only have 5 kids so it looks like we can build that new equipment that turned up today. I nod my head “sounds good to me!” I say with a smile as I think of coming home to you tonight.