The Rest is Still Unwritten

Where it all Began

~Cannons rumbled in the hills, promising to bring the war to our step. I wiped a tear from my eye and held onto Adrian, fearing that he too, would fade away into the smoke. He would leave me to join his brothers when the morning came. I prayed for the sun to never rise again, so not to lose my love.~

"I want a divorce."

~Five Hours earlier~

Sunshine touched every corner of the yard as I typed furiously. I shifted in the plush lawn chair and glared at the words on my laptop. Giving them one last look, I deleted the page and slapped the device shut.

"Writers block, honey?" I craned my neck around to see my husband of three years standing just a few feet from me. The water on his tanned skin shone in the afternoon rays, clearly having just gotten out of the pool. I groaned and nodded my head in confirmation. I heard him chuckle and felt his hands rest on my shoulders, working out a knot that had settled at the base of my neck.

"Why don't you go out for a girls night? You could us a night out and you can forget about that stupid book.", Jackson cooed in my ear. He moved around so that he was in my direct line of sight and gave my cheek a quick peck. "I don't understand why you want to write it in the first place, doll. You should leave writing to the actual authors." With that he stepped away. 

"Jack you know why-"

"You always wanted to write a book, and it's been a dream of your's since you were a kid. Yes, I've heard it before.", he breathed out sounding frustrated. He sat himself down in the chair adjacent to me and put his favorite pair of aviator sunglasses on. "Joyce, isn't being married to a screen writer enough for you? And your work at Paramount! You're a publisher not a writer, there is a difference."

My cheeks burned at his words. "Yes, I'm aware that there is a difference. That is why I'm writing literature, not scripts. There is a difference. I let words speak for me not special effects.", I said slowly trying not to lose my temper at him. He just scoffed and began walking towards the house. Seeing his departure I called out after him. "I think I'll take your suggestion. I'm going out with Ellie tonight!" The only response I received was the glass door sliding shut.

~~~~~~~

"I don't know what's been going on with him lately... it was so different before we moved to LA. We actually talked and supported one another!", I tossed my head back and let the burn of tequila travel down my throat. Ellie put a well manicured hand on my shoulder as the music thumped around us.

"Not sure Cece. But I've got something that will fix you two love birds right up!", the brunette exclaimed and dove into her new Prada bag. Her boisterous dark curls danced as she dug through her purse. Finally, she emerged with an envelope in her hand and a bright smiled on her face. "Found it! I cannot wait to see your face when you open it! You can already say that I'm the greatest friend to ever live."

She shoved the envelope into my hands. Her darkly tanned skin making my olive hands look like blank parchment. She bounced up and down in her seat in anticipation which pulled a laugh from me. She gave me a quick dirty look and gestured to the envelope in my hands. I brushed my short blonde locks behind my ear and tore the flap open. Removing two pieces of paper from the envelope, I screamed.

I jumped at Ellie and gave her a bone crushing hug.
"Paris?! You got us tickets to Paris! My god, I could kiss you!", I exclaimed earning myself some weird looks from the bartender. She just laughed and shook her hands wildly.

"No! That is not necessary, I've got Alfred at home for that! I also have a small apartment in the city that I'm going to let you borrow. Nothing gets a marriage back on track than an expensive trip, right?", she replied with a toothy grin.

"You didn't have to do this! What even prompted this gift?", I asked incredulously. She punched my arm.

"Has it occurred to you that I'm just fantastic? We've been friends for years, so I know how much you've wanted to go there and Alfie's football career more than covers expenses, not that my photography is anything to sneeze at." She gave me playful wink and took a sip of her martini. "You're only buzzed and the night is still young, I think you should party your little butt home and blow Jackson's mind with this trip."

I nod my head enthusiastically, tossing my neck length hair all over the place. I gave Ellie one last hug and left a fifty dollar bill in the counter to cover my tab. I raced out of the bar, holding the envelope tightly to my chest. Child like excitement coursed through my veins as I unlocked my car and tossed my purse onto the passenger seat. 

I sat in my car for a moment and rested my head against the wheel. This was it... this would fix all of the tension between Jackson and I, I would get the man I married back. A grin crept its way onto my features. I plunged the key into the ignition and tore out of the parking lot. I switched on the radio and the Frank Sinatra's sultry voice filled the cab. Jack always hated this kind of music, I turned it up and sang along to New York as I made my way through Los Angeles traffic on a Friday night.

~~~~~~~

I pulled into the garage as quietly as I could; I wanted this to be a surprise. I killed the engine and shut the door softly. He wouldn't be expecting me home until around 3 am, if I came home at all. I checked my phone and saw it was only 11. It was normal for me to stay with Ellie on nights like these. I tiptoed through the door and clutched the tickets in my left hand, ready to show my husband them.

As soon as I crossed the thresh hold, a terrible feeling filled me. Something was wrong... All the lights were off and I could only hear a faint creaking coming from upstairs. I walked into the living room and lifted the cover of a hollowed chair. Inside, was the nine millimeter pistol my dad gave me when I turned eighteen. Having a paranoid father in law enforcement had its advantages it seemed.  I loaded the cartridge and switched off the safety, beginning my journey upstairs ready to fire when I needed to.

As I approached my room the creaking got louder and I heard two voices. Jack and a woman's... a new reason to use the gun filled my system. Any idiot could guess what was actually happening behind the door, and it wasn't the robbery I originally assumed. I growl ripped it's way from my throat and I shoved the plane tickets into my pocket. I gripped the pistol with both hands and kicked the partially open door with all my force. The red head in my bed screamed and covered herself with the sheets around her. Jack jumped back in fright and locked eyes with me. Seeing the gun he froze.

I leisurely strolled into the room but kept my white knuckled grip on the firearm. An easy and sarcastic smile stretched across my face. I leaned myself against the door frame and tapped my foot. "Hi honey. I decided to come home early because I had a surprise for you, but you know what? I've got an even better one for you and that slut in our bed.", said lightly and waved the gun in her direction. Jackson moved to say something but I cut him off with a deadly glare.

"I want a divorce. And you and your hussy have three minutes to get out of my house before I have a reason to use this little toy.", I growled, clutching the gun tighter. "Joyce Anderson always did have a better ring to it than Wallis."

"But you can't, this is my house t-" I fired a warning shot into the ceiling, which quieted his protests and sent the two of them into a flurry of movement. They threw on their clothes and made for the door. Just as Jack was about to pass me I stopped him. I put my hand out to him palm up and fear appeared in his eyes. Without saying a word he dropped his keys into my hand and dashed for the door.

I watched the headlights of their car disappear behind the bend and dropped to my knees. Tears spilled from my eyes like waterfalls and I did nothing to stop them.  I felt something poke into my side and I glanced down and saw the edge of the bone white envelope peak out of my pocket. I gently pulled it out and straitened a crease that had formed on it's surface. I set it on my bed side table, swearing to put it to good use. 

Little did I know that this night would put into motion a story I only wished I could've thought of myself.