Salted Caramel

Preface

"Baby... You don't have to go. Please, just... Don't leave me!"

I roll my eyes, and shove my remaining clothes into my suitcase.

"Jameson, I'm leaving. Okay? Leave me alone. You can live your life however the fuck you want, now. Have hundreds of girls. Get wasted every night. Do all the shit you want. Okay? Have fun. I'm not dealing with this bullshit anymore."

Jameson, my boyfriend of three years, fiance of six months, grabs my arm. He collapses to his knees, and looks up at me. I try to ignore him, but his grip on my arm is strong and painful.

"I need you. Please! I'm nothing without you."

I've heard this all before. Another day, another plea. I've been wanting to leave for months. Until now, I've had nowhere to go. I finally hid enough money from Jameson to rent an apartment a few hours away.

I sigh, and shove him away from me.

"You were nothing before me, Jameson. And you still aren't anything." I say, and finish zipping up my luggage.

I pick up my puppy, and her bag of supplies, which I packed the other night. My cat and my snake are at my mother's house, but Jameson would've noticed if Lilac was gone.

"You know what? Fine! I don't fucking need you. You were never good for anything- you never came to my shows, you never supported my ideas! You owe me!"

I spin around, fuming.

"Are you fucking kidding me?! I got two jobs out here, to support your 'dreams'. I continuously picked up shifts, even working three a day, to help pay rent at venues. I promoted your shows endlessly! You, if anything, owe me!"

He's stunned into silence. In our whole three years together, I've never yelled. Not when he cheated. Not when he got drunk and crashed my car. But now? I've got nothing to lose.

I scoop my keys up, along with my phone and wallet. Lilac buries her muzzle into my shirt as I walk down the hall, Jameson following behind me slowly.

I make it to my car, shove my suitcase, along with Lilac's bag, into the backseat. I pop Lilac into the passenger seat, then slide into the driver side. I lock the door immediately, and sit for a minute, watching Jameson walk up to my window. He leans against my car, and stares at me.

"So. This is it."

I swallow.

"I'm sorry."

I stay silent.

He presses his hand against my window, watching my movements and waiting for me to put my hand against his, behind the window. I look at him for a moment, and say quietly, "I love you", before gently touching my hand against his. I see a tear slip down his cheek, and I can't help it. 

I get out, and wrap my arms around his neck. I hold him tightly, and I know I'm crying. My face is flushed, and I hear him sniffling next to my ear. "I'm so sorry I've done all of this. I understand why you're leaving. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

I curl my fingers into his shirt, and breathe in the smell of him one last time.

"You should go..."

I pull away, and get back into the car. He tugs his necklace off, and hands it to me.

I hesitate. I look up at him, waiting for an explanation, but he just drops it into my hand.

"Here," he says, "I was going to give it to you."

I close my hand over the silver chain, and slide it into my pocket. Jameson backs away from the car, after closing the door for me. I try not to look back as I pull out of the parking lot, but I know he's watching me. I can't help but wish this could've turned out differently.