Monday, November 27, 2023

Tuesday Tales - Word Prompt "Foolish"

 


Howdy doodles! This week our word prompt is "foolish". We have another episode of "Two of Hearts." 

Don't forget to stop by and read the excellent stories by the Tuesday Tales authors. Find them HERE.


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Terry tossed most of the night. He’d tried Clare three more times. Where the hell was she? At five he gave up trying to sleep, eased out of bed, took a shower, and called Clare once more. Voicemail. Was she away overnight? Fuck. Damn! She sure didn’t wait long before she started fucking around, did she?

Anger steamed through his veins. The more he obsessed, the madder he got. He dressed and fed Queenie. While the coffee brewed, he seethed inside. This trip west was just an excuse to sleep around. Seven-year itch? He’d always thought that was a joke, something invented by men to excuse infidelity.  

Terry and Clare were just shy of seven years. In fact, she’d be in L. A. for their anniversary. If she was fucking around, there would be no anniversary celebration –maybe a court date instead.

After a cup of coffee and eggs he’d scrambled himself, he harnessed Queenie. As they headed for the street, Terry’s thoughts turned to Jen. He wondered if her husband had woken up yet. He headed for her block. Directing his gaze down the street, he spied her in the distance, with Willie at her side. He smiled. Her story gave him hope that love was alive and well somewhere.

Willie barked. Queenie answered. Jen turned to face him. Terry let go of the leash, allowing his pug to race down the block to her friend. The two dogs sniffed, wagged and wiggled together. Terry sauntered up to the little group. 

“How are things?”

“Looking up,” she answered.

“Really?”

“They’re taking him off the coma drugs. They expect he’ll wake up today.”

“Hey, that’s great news.”

“It is,” she said, shooting him a wide smile. “At least I hope it is.”

“What did they say?”

She related some of what the doctor had told her. Although he shared her relief that Stan would be back among the living soon, the contrast with his own situation made him frown.

“What’s the matter?” she asked.

“Nothing.”

“Is it Clare?”

He shifted his weight. Terry never opened up about personal business to anyone except Clare.

“She’s all right, isn’t she?” she asked.

“I wouldn’t know,” he said, immediately regretting his honesty.

“What do you mean?”

“She didn’t answer last night. I left a voicemail and she hasn’t called back.”

Jen made a gesture with her hand. “Oh, really? I’m sure it’s nothing. I mean, if she was dead, you’d have heard.”

Terry paled. “Dead?” 

Suddenly, his fears about infidelity seemed foolish. 


That's all for today. Thanks for stopping by!

5 comments:

  1. Great post. Isn't it like that? We always jump to conclusions without any facts, and then someone reminds us that things could be worse. Enjoying this story.

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  2. I love how her blunt statement brings him out of his dark drastic fantasies. Great job!

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  3. Glad she made that comment and smacked some sense back in his head! Great scene, Jean. (Except that I want to reach in and smack him LOL)

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  4. I can definitely understand his frustration not hearing from Clare. I love the banter between them. Great job!

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