Short Story Fiction
Love on the Rocks
Scott A. Gese
Their marriage was heading toward a rocky shore. Could it be saved? Should they even try?
Sam Williams/UnsplashCharlie Hackle had been married for seven years. He and his wife were not getting along.
It was nothing new. Their marriage had been a tumultuous affair from the beginning.
On this particular Saturday morning. He and Rebecca had been fighting over each others obligations and responsibilities toward their relationship. This was nothing new either. They had argued over the subject on numerous occasions.
Rebecca had grown tired of today’s argument and like an immature child, she locked herself in the bathroom. She refused to come out. At the moment, that was fine with Charlie. He had grown tired of the arguing altogether. Eventually he tried to talk to Rebecca through the door. Hoping to coax her out, but she wasn’t responding.
The routine and had finally reached the point. Charlie had put up with enough. He had hit the breaking point and told her he was going out.
After she heard the front door slam, Rebecca decided to open the door. An hour later Charlie still hadn’t returned. She was glad he was still gone. She needed a break from the bickering. She was feeling better after several hours had passed. Charlie still hadn’t returned. This wasn’t his normal routine and now she started to get concerned.
Stopping off at the neighborhood tavern for a drink was becoming a regular habit with Charlie. She wanted to believe that’s where he was and halfheartedly convinced herself of it.
By evening he still hadn’t returned. Rebecca was concerned enough to call his cell. There was no answer.
Her growing concern was enough to cause her to make a few phone calls to friends and family. No one had seen him all day.
Now she was actually worried.
She went so far as to call the local hospital, but was told no one named Charlie Hackle had been admitted. She was relieved to hear it, but was now more worried than ever.
Charlie didn’t come home that night.
In the morning Rebecca called the police on the off chance he may have been arrested and was being held in custody. They had no record of him being arrested. They suggested she file a missing person report, which she did.
A week went by. Rebecca was beside herself. Her mind kept racing. Was he hurt and laying in a ditch somewhere? Was he dead or had he just up and left her? What was bothering her the most was that she didn’t know for sure.
~~~~
Charlie Hackle had had enough. He couldn’t take the screaming, the fighting, the nagging and the door slamming any longer.
He told his wife he was heading out.
What he did was stop off at the neighborhood bar and nurse a couple of drinks as he tried to calm down and decide what he really wanted to do.
The drinks made it easier for him to make a decision. Maybe not the best decision but a decision none the less.
He knew he didn’t want to go back home, so he decided to get a room for the night.
He didn’t call his wife and knowing she would try to call him, he turned off his cell. He needed time to himself and didn’t want to get into it with her over the phone.
In the morning, Charlie went to his bank and withdrew half the savings from his account. He got in his car and started to drive. He had no clue as to where he was going. He only knew he was getting away, and as far as he was concerned, the farther the better.
He was leaving everything behind. His crappy job, his angry wife and his shitty life.
With each new day he felt more at ease, along with more remorse. He knew he should contact Rebecca and at least let her know he was alright. He just couldn’t get himself to do it. At least not yet.
~~~~
A full week had gone by. Second thoughts were eating at him. Charlie was now torn between disappearing for good and returning home to try and salvage his wreck of a marriage.
Against what he thought to be his better judgment, he turned the car around and headed back toward home.
He decided, if it wasn’t too late, he needed to try and work things out.
A week had gone by when Charlie pulled into the driveway. He went to the front door, took a deep breath and not knowing what to expect, cautiously went in.
When Rebecca saw him come through the door, she had two choices. Either accept the fact that they had issues and try to work them out or tear into him for what he had put her through.
She decided to tear into him.
Charlie started up the car as Rebecca yelled at him from the front step. This time he felt much better about driving away.
© Copyright 2023 by Scott A. Gese All Rights Reserved.
You Might Like More Short Stories Like This
short story fiction / Jilted
Jilted / It was a picture perfect wedding, until they reached the “I do’s”.
short story fiction / For the Love of Art
For the Love of Art / A young artist in Paris, the City of Love, must make a crucial choice that will affect her life for years to come.
short story fiction / Playing With Fire
Playing with Fire / She was everything. He was nothing. A couple of stiff drinks was all he needed to find his courage… and ruin his life.
I Could Use Your Help
Are you enjoying my stories and articles? This site does not post ads. It depends on people like you to keep these stories and articles up and running. Here's how you can help.
If you click on the green button below, it will take you to my 'buy me a coffee' page. Here is where you can show your support for this site.
While you're there, feel free to browse around and check out some of the posts I've left for you.
A big thank you in advance for your generosity and your support.
Please Share this Website
Add this site to your social media pages by using the social media buttons below. Your friends will thank you for it.
Our Top Five Most Read Articles/Short Stories for the Month of December
(and Five From the File)
<HERE>
Newest Article
Timberline Ski Lodge
by Scott A. Gese
Zach Lenziewicz/UnsplashA Bright and Shining Light on the South Slope of Oregon's Mount Hood and a winter playground for snow enthusiasts. <Read The Full Article Here>
Newest Short Story
A Matter of Perspective
By Scott A. Gese
Mariscogallegopro/PixabayEveryone looks at life from a slightly different perspective. Some see the fun and joy in life while others see only danger and despair. It’s a matter of perspective. <Read the full story HERE>
Newest Movie
The Phantom of the Opera
(1925) Lon Chaney, Norman Kerry, Mary Philbin
At the Opera of Paris, a mysterious phantom threatens a famous lyric singer, Carlotta and thus forces her to give up her role for unknown Christine Daae.
Christine meets this phantom in the catacombs, where he lives.