Red Velvet Cake

A Serious Conversation

Amara's nails gently tapped against the glass dining room table, her other hand supported the weight of her head, getting heavier by the second. 11:00 pm. Late again, she thought to herself. This was the third night in a row her boyfriend had come home late, no calls, and no explanations. I'll talk to him tonight for sure, she thought to herself, her anxiety growing at the thought.

A few moments later she heard the sound of keys, fighting to find the lock in the darkened apartment hallway. "We should really call maintenance to get that light fixed," she murmured, in an attempt to distract herself from the sinking feeling building in her stomach. She readied herself for the confrontation that she was sure was about to unfold. Finally, the door opened slowly, and her boyfriend, Joseph, quietly stepped through the threshold. He closed the door and locked it behind him.

"Hello Joseph," Amara said in a hushed tone.

"Shit," he replied in a harsh whisper. "You scared the fuck outta me," he grabbed his chest. "I thought you'd be asleep by now," he grinned sheepishly at Amara as she walked closer.

"I was waiting for you, I wanted to talk," she said as she kissed his cheek and grabbed hold of his hand. Mmm kind of sweaty, she thought as she led him to their couch.

The two sat down and stared at each other silently for a while, both nervous at the prospect of "a talk".

"Don't be nervous," she said, brushing her hand against his face. He nodded. "So...you've been coming home really late for the past couple of days, and you've been really distant. My mind has been all over the place so I thought it was probably best that I ask you straight up what's going on."

There was a moment of silence.

She looked into his eyes trying not to cry. Ugh I'm such a baby, he didn't even say anything yet, she thought. She watched as the wheels turned inside of her lover's head.

Joseph, figuring he should probably say something now, opened his mouth to speak but no words came out. He could feel the small lump in his throat growing larger. Shit, he thought. I'm such a baby. He felt the hot tears fall slowly, and then all at once down his face.

"What is it Joseph?" Amara asked, fighting back her own tears. "Whatever it is, you can tell me, we can talk about it," she said, nodding her head in encouragement.

"Well it-it's kind of hard to explain," he stammered.

Her eyes searched his face wanting so desperately to hear his answer.

She would have never assumed he was a cheater but, for the past couple of days he had been distant. Any attempt at conversation had been met with "yeah" and "mhm" and slowly but surely the thought had crept into her mind, hence her eagerness to have a conversation. She felt the tears in her eyes welling up.

"It's work," he said finally.

Oh thank God, she thought. But the relief was fleeting, she refocused.

"I've been under a lot of pressure, with little to no return. I do my best but it's getting to be too much. I don't know...I need a break..." he said looking away.

"Why do you look so ashamed? Everyone needs a break now and then. Even you," Amara said warmly. She held his face in her hands. God that feels good, Joseph thought as her cool hands caressed his face. "You're tired, you're job is tiring, it makes sense to me," she said in a matter of fact tone. She knew she was over simplifying things. Joseph was the type to bury himself in his work (which he took much pride in) and he was always very stoic, this was a big deal. The only way to make him feel better was to act cool about it.