Another envelope lying on the break room table. Jack's Birthday - Please Give $5 Toward A Gift. Sheila sighed. Money was so tight, and every day it was someone's birthday, or promotion, or baby shower. She put the envelope back on the table under the watchful eyes of her co-workers.
"No, I guess not this time," she said.
"It's only five bucks for godssake," one mumbled, rolling her eyes.
*****
"NO!" Keira screamed, slamming her bedroom door in yet another teenaged fit of pique. "I hate you" reverberated through the ventilation system. This despite the fact that Sheila had forgone the coat she needed in order to buy her daughter yet another cheerleading outfit. But not the right color hair bands.
*****
"No," Pete replied, lowering the newspaper. "I don't think it's right for you to go out with your friends to a bar. You're married, and it doesn't look good. Besides, what kind of example does that set for the kids? And you're always bitching about money, that I don't give you enough. Well, there's beer in the fridge and it's only a buck a bottle instead of $4. Get me one too, would you honey?"
*****
You are beautiful. Smart. Funny. Come and visit me, stay with me. I think I love you.
Sheila's fingers hovered over the keyboard. An internet stranger, but so handsome, so honest, so caring. One heartbeat. Two.
Yes
"No, I guess not this time," she said.
"It's only five bucks for godssake," one mumbled, rolling her eyes.
*****
"NO!" Keira screamed, slamming her bedroom door in yet another teenaged fit of pique. "I hate you" reverberated through the ventilation system. This despite the fact that Sheila had forgone the coat she needed in order to buy her daughter yet another cheerleading outfit. But not the right color hair bands.
*****
"No," Pete replied, lowering the newspaper. "I don't think it's right for you to go out with your friends to a bar. You're married, and it doesn't look good. Besides, what kind of example does that set for the kids? And you're always bitching about money, that I don't give you enough. Well, there's beer in the fridge and it's only a buck a bottle instead of $4. Get me one too, would you honey?"
*****
You are beautiful. Smart. Funny. Come and visit me, stay with me. I think I love you.
Sheila's fingers hovered over the keyboard. An internet stranger, but so handsome, so honest, so caring. One heartbeat. Two.
Yes
Oh the poor woman. I've been in the first situation. It's a lil unfair especially if you don't even know the person :)
ReplyDeleteUniversal Gibberish
The internet has been the downfall of many relationships. Well, there are other underlying issues. But all too often it is the medium people use that gets the into all kinds of trouble.
ReplyDeleteThat desperation to get out - amazing what can drive you to say yes. Lovely set of stories, Li. Absolutely riveting. And so sorry it's taken me this long to get back here - looking forward to having a reading catch-up this week
ReplyDeleteLx
Hope she doesn't get in trouble for her "yes."
ReplyDeleteErin
Oooohhhh! Real build up to that. I have to say - horribly bratty teenager but that one 'yes' might really cost her! Enjoyed that! thank you :)
ReplyDeleteOh nooooo!
ReplyDelete(Just kidding, of course. Online dating isn't that bad. The internet has all the handsomest, honestest, caringest people.)