What Happened Next

Selfish

"Honey I'm just going for a fish."

Earnest called to his wife after finishing his breakfast early one morning.
Claire came out from the laundry, obviously frustrated. Arms crossed over her chest, she said,

"Your always fishing."

"Well, we need to eat, honey."

"We can buy meat and vegetables from the shops. We're not poor, we can buy food."

"But what about the satisfaction of eating something that was caught without mass supermarkets doing the work for us?"

He knew he was trying to hide the truth from his wife of twenty years. He didn't want her to know that he loathed being at home. She just couldn't know that the burdens of being a working class citizen, father of two and husband made him feel trapped and weighed down rather than grateful and content.
No, she would not find out.

"Earnest, your talking nonsense again.
I was thinking of visiting the girls tomorrow. I want you to come."

"And I want to come. What time are we leaving?"

"10am sharp."

"I'll be there."

He got up and kissed his wife on the cheek.

"I'll be back by six."

"Find a new hobby."

Claire waltzed off to their bedroom to make the bed as Earnest gathered his gear.
The mornings conversation played over and over again in his mind as he walked to the river.
She was starting to suspect. She knew his coming-home times were getting later and later. She seemed to sense that he was getting tired of playing the role of the perfect man.
Damn it, he was far from perfect.
It was Earnests idea to send his two girls, Daisy and Selena, to boarding school.
His argument was that they could get a much better education at a boarding school rather than public. He'd pushed that they were smart girls and deserved the best educational opportunities.

The girls didn't take much objection. Daisy, who was going on fifteen, was already seeking independence and a little separation from her parents.
Selena, 10, was excited to enhance her intelligence at a fine school, and have 'sleepovers' with her friends every night.
Claire, on the other hand, was not as keen to send her children away from her and made an effort to visit them as often as possible.

Earnest was happy when ever he saw them, but not as dedicated as his wife.
Because he had his own selfish reasons for sending his children away.
He wanted less human interaction, less responsibility, less burden.
He hated himself everyday for this and every time he thought about his actions he was shocked at himself.
What father didn't appreciate his own children?! His own beautiful wife, and seemingly perfect life?!

A little frazzled, Earnest arrived at his favourite fishing spot. An old man was there, fishing for blackfish.

"Morning" Earnest huffed to him.

"Good day" he nodded back.

Earnest cast his line and immediately started to feel better. Fishing always calmed him down.
After a few minutes, he turned to the old man.

"Been getting many?"

He didn't usually fish with other people, but for some reason, today Earnest felt like having a nice, easy going conversation.

The old man smiled.

"Not too many."

"Bugger"

It was silent for an hour or so. Earnest only detected one bite and then nothing. 

"Why are you out here on a Tuesday morning rather then at the office?"

Earnest was used to this question.

"I don't work Tuesdays. Or Wednesdays, for that matter."

He nodded.

"But why come here when you can stay home and have a nice time with the wife?"

"The same reason as you"

"I'm sorry for your loss"

"Oh sorry mate, I didn't realise. My wife's fine, I guess I just prefer to come fishing."

The old mans eyes sparkled as he set down his rods and came over to Earnest.

"You want to know the truth about why I'm here?"

Earnest gave a slight nod.

"I'm dead."

"...I'm afraid you'll need to elaborate for me."

"I faked my death thirty years ago. Hated life. Hated work. Hated society. I found no reason to keep living like that, so I ended it.
"I get the idea that maybe you feel this way too. Am I right?"

Earnest was a little taken back at this sudden information, but intrigued.

"Well your not right, but your not wrong either.
"I love my family, I can't leave them."

"I know what you mean. I left behind a wife and four sons. But sometimes it's for the best.
"From what I heard, she found a new man who provided more for her than I ever could have."

"How did you do it?"

"Not easily. It took four years for me to work up the courage, then a few more months to organise it.
"I faked a suicide by driving my car into a tree in a paddock, then lit the whole lot on fire."

He said it so casually, like he was discussing his favourite bread.

"Did you feel any regret?"

"Every day. Every day I miss what I left behind, and I wonder what would have happened if things had gone differently.
"But, at the same time,  if I didn't I wouldn't have what I've got today."

"Whats that?"

He gave a sly smile.

"No identity. Freedom. I can live however I want."

Earnest wanted to ask more questions. He felt terribly excited, like his heart was a pile of dry sticks and this old mans testimony lit it on fire.
However, he tried to keep his curiosity to himself.

When the sky began to turn pink and the air got cool, the old man with no identity packed up. He walked over to Earnest, and quietly said,

"I don't recommend doing what I did. But I also don't not recommend it. I believe men should trust their own judgement, and not blame anyone else if something goes wrong."

His sparkling eyes winked before he set off into the evening.

His words had a double meaning. He didn't want Earnest to follow his footsteps if he was going to be silly about it. And by God, he wasn't allowed to blame him if he stuffed up.

Earnest lay his head on the cool rock beside him. This moment felt surreal. The water was flat, the sky was a deep reddish - purple, the world was silent.

It was like he was the only one on earth. He had heard an old mans life story and was now considering throwing away everything he had, to follow this strangers path.

Would he actually do it though?

Of course he would.

• • •
-just your average generic authors note-

Hello wonderful reader,
Firstly, I just wanted to say how grateful I am that you read my story. It really does mean a lot.
Secondly, PLEASE don't run away or fake your death or do any of the outrageous things that Earnest does. This is just a silly story for your entertainment (as well as mine!).

Thank you for reading!

P/S  Pleaseeee leave a comment to tell me what you think. I'd really appreciate it.