Long dark night
Telltale crimson trail: part 6
If I’d been a character in a detective story, they’d call this the long dark night of the soul. Drawing deep from the amber leaf, I knew why. I took in another lungful, tasting like a motorman's glove. I laughed at myself, thinking up a Chandler-Marlowe quote at a time like this.
I threw the butt down, where it joined its buddy left by Stevie. That's not all she left. I felt a ton weight in my stomach that almost floored me.
Looking at the cheery photos on the shelf, I thought about all I'd lost. The only people who meant anything to me. My wife and my brother. Now, I'd lost Stevie too. Betrayed.
I jumped in my skin as the telephone rang. I picked up.
“John? You planning on coming in today?” It could only be the Captain.
“Sure, chief, just making some breakf..”
“Well don’t,” he said. “You need a break… see the strain in your eyes… get some rest… go see your wife or whatever you do when you’re not working.”
When I wasn’t working! I thought. When was that?
I took his advice anyway.
“Hey hon, how ya doing?” I said, holding out some flowers. Three years since we last spoke. After an hour of my inane attempts at conversation, I figured she’d had enough.
I headed home, passing another man clutching lilies, bending over another grave.
Unlocking the front door, I caught a whiff of Miss Dior with a hint of boot black.
“Stevie?”
O ~ 0 ~ o ~
What happens next?
Part seven: Pretty Miss Trouble
O ~ 0 ~ o ~
About the Creator
Raymond G. Taylor
Author based in Kent, England. A writer of fictional short stories in a wide range of genres, he has been a non-fiction writer since the 1980s. Non-fiction subjects include art, history, technology, business, law, and the human condition.
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Work to do
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By Raymond G. Taylor4 months ago in Fiction
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I was bored. School was out, and there was nothing to do in this freaking dull town. Mom and Dad and the rest of the old people can blather all they like about The Way Things Used to Be. Stubborn old farts, mouthing the exact same things their parents used to say. Blah blah thrilling blah blah battles all along the road, blah blah British soldiers and Hessians. So exciting! So invigorating! Such handsome soldiers!
By Meredith Harmonabout 20 hours ago in Fiction
Comments (7)
So how'd she take it? Yes, I mean the wife. Though I probably should be wondering about Stevie, too.
Well, I'm all caught up now and man, this could go in so many directions. I will try and publish my attempt in the next day.
My predictions for part 7 : https://vocal.media/fiction/whispers-in-the-rain-doyi01ei
Great story
Why has it been 3 years since John spoke to his wife? Also, oooo, is Stevie back?
Wow! I'm lovin' this Ray. Cannot wait for the next installment!
I love the way this story is unfolding! Great job saying more with less.