Short stories

Switching plan

His plan would work as he had expected and he was very proud. Torture was almost over for him. He stopped the car to the shop and cut the ignition before exiting the vehicle. A huge smile on his lips, he stepped inside. The saleswoman recognized him and greeted him kindly. He approached the counter. She joined him with a small package. She opened it and he was very pleased with what was inside. He took the case, thanking her. He already paid for it. It was one of the reasons for him to shake his little universe. It was all over now. He could finally breathe! The last four months haven’t been very easy for him and his girlfriend. He neglected her a lot, but she never complained. She accepted the situation, knowing that he wanted his promotion.

But another surprise was waiting for her. He had accumulated a lot of overtime, either during the evenings or over weekends, to prove to his bosses that he had all the skills required for the new position offered. Fortunately, he hadn’t missed a birthday. He didn’t know if Kelly would have accepted it. He doubted very much. There were still limits on kindness. He was so in love with her that he was about to do something that fell so natural for him. She was the love of his life and he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her. He had imagined it all during the past weeks. It was unfortunately not planned that he should come to the office on Saturday precisely. Kelly seemed resigned when he had left. She had phoned him twice while he was working. The second call went back before his meeting and the announcement of his promotion. She asked him to go home as soon as he finished work because she needed to talk to him. The meeting delayed things a bit, but there was nothing he could do.

He loosened his tie by taking the road. The journey seemed too long for him. He was so eager to go home for his surprise. His heart began to beat faster when he parked the car in the driveway of his house.

“I’m here,” he announced cheerfully while opening the door.

He frowned, getting no response. He turned into the hallway to get to the living room. Kelly was there, sitting on the sofa. There were some Kleenex tissues on the coffee table in front of her. he asked her if something had happened during his absence. She looked up at him.

“You’re late.”

He stopped, smiling.

“I didn’t know what time I was going to finish. Sorry…”

“Oh! Please! Stop with your excuses!"

“But tell me what happens.”

“I’m leaving.”

“Traveling? For how long?”

“You’re a moron,” she muttered, shaking her head. “I’m leaving. I’m leaving you. Does it suit you as an explanation?”

His heart jumped in his chest. She was leaving him? But why? He didn’t understand. He stammered the confused questions that formulate in his mind. He was caught off guard. That wasn’t part of the plans he had imagined. Shaken, he sank into the chair to keep from falling. He was still trying to figure out when he heard Kelly’s mean laughter. With a sudden movement, she wiped a bit of mascara without actually realizing she still looked like a grotesque joker.

"You don't understand, isn't it?"

He was unable to answer her. He just shook his head without looking. She laughed again.

"I can't stand it, Jacob. That's it."

"But what... what did I do?"

"No. The question is: what you didn't do? You really haven't noticed?"

"I don't understand..."

“That’s one reason why I’m dumping you. You never see anything and you never understand a single thing.”