Short Stories + Contest Entries

Alternate Universe

This is an edited version of this story, but not entirely revised. 

After years of being separated by distance, Kathlyn was with me at last. This girl I've known for years but not seen. Only used to being comforted by her words on a screen and texts that spammed our secret hieroglyphs. Kathlyn's text messages were little gifts that lit up my day, but to have her here with me was infinitely better, no doubt. The only trouble was that she wasn't here for me. I was merely a helping hand, secretly fawning over her and selfishly inviting her to stay with me for as long as she needed.

From the moment I picked her up from the airport, all my senses were star-struck. She dazzled over Egypt, marveling at our surroundings as we drove by. She took tons of pictures on her phone, wrote notes, and scribbled nonsense on her notepad resting on her lap. Everything was a dream to her, but to me, she was my dream.

"Do you like it here?" I asked. From the corner of my eye, I saw her nod aggressively.

"I do, so much! I can't believe I'm here for a whole month traveling around one of my favorite places and writing all about it! It's my dream coming to life!" she gushed. "Everything is so beautiful. The trees, the people, the sights, the smells."

I chuckled. "We just left the airport, you haven't seen anything yet."

"I know, it's so exciting. And your accent is so cool," she said, still looking out the window. "I like it. I wish I didn't have such a boring American accent."

"You don't sound boring, you sound lovely," I replied, stealing a glance at her. Her hands combed through her hair and I caught her blushing.

"I'm glad you don't think I sound stuck up," she laughed lightly, looking down at her lap and brushing hair from her face. "Thank you."

With her attention focused on Egypt, I soaked in her floral scent and watched her smile light up her face. I caught myself staring more than I should, but she never seemed to notice.

Kathlyn was much prettier in person, gorgeous even. I fantasized about the way her long hair would feel between my fingers, and how her thin chocolate strands would wrap around my fingertips. I even thought of how her hand would fit perfectly in mine, her small, pale hand against my tan flesh. Hers was probably soft but boney, cold to the touch. I clenched my hands on the steering wheel to restrain myself from holding out my hand to grab hers.

Deep down, guilt bubbled inside me. I've been a liar, but I don't just lie to her, I lie to myself. I've buried the notion of finding another love again. Yet here I am, imagining waking up with Kathlyn right beside me looking up at me with loving eyes, and wearing a ring that matched mine.

Right on cue, Kathlyn turned to face me. "So how's your wife? Is she watching the kids now? I can't wait to meet them!"

"No. She's not with them, my mom is watching them until we get back." I swallowed hard. "In fact, you won't see much of my wife."

"Oh no, why not?" She asked, snapping some more pictures.

"Well, it's because," I breathed in deeply, "she died two years ago, right before our twins turned three. I'm sorry I never told you."

"Oh my God, Mahiar, are you okay?" she asked intensely.

"I am a lot better than I was, thank you. Don't worry too much about it, Kathlyn."

"That must've been a lot. I'm really sorry. You don't need to apologize for that." She sighed, pushing her glasses over her head to rub her misty eyes. "I wish you told me this before, it explains a lot, but I understand. Just know you can trust me with anything and I'm here for you."