Notes from the Road 5

Chapter 5


She turns her face to the window away from him, signalling the pause of this conversation. It is by no means finished. This is merely a comma or a semi colon in the continuing argument they've been having for two years now.

The start of it escapes her memory as she watches the desert landscape shoot past. But she does remember the first time she saw him as she sees him now, like a little child upset at not getting his own way, not used to compromise, the give and take of a relationship.

After the honeymoon head rush of falling in love and the comfortable sensibility of being with someone who's in love with you, she remembers seeing him for the first time without the Vaseline halo of love, seeing him stamp his foot and pout like an errant ten year old who won't be getting his ball back.

It was funny at first. He'd pout then get over himself and they tumble into each others arms laughing. But as time wore away the novelty value, it would take longer and longer for him to laugh until one day he didn't laugh at all.

She knows she's not perfect and she doesn't expect him to be but its getting to the point where its more painful to be with him than not.

"I'll tell him." she thinks, new resolution welling up in her heart. " This is killing the both of us. The sooner we admit its over and move on the better. I know he feels it too. I can tell in every look he gives me, every gesture he makes. It just isn't the same and we should both grow up and move on. He must be waiting for me to say it, making it easier on himself." Her anger flared. "That bastard! He wants me to break up with him so he gets off guilt free! I break his heart and he gets all the sympathy! I almost fell for it as well! I'm sorry Mister you're not getting off that easily. You want to break up? You'll have to say it!"


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"I wonder what's wrong with her?" He thinks "Oh well. Her moods never last, maybe she'll have cheered up by the time we get home."


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The car sped on taking the two passengers in totally different directions.