 |
| Image by JayMantri from Pixabay |
We've been behind on posting our stories, but we are beginning to catch up. So, you will be getting a few stories posted here in June. And many of them shared on social media in June, as well. This is the last of our short stories inspired by songs. This one is by Amanda Leigh. Read all the way to the bottom to find out which song it is inspired by. Leave your guesses in the comments, and let us know if you guessed right!!
What I Need by Amanda Leigh
Soft sheets cling around me, your body heat next to mine, as
I stare at the clock on the wall. The soft tick, tick, tick like a bomb set to
go off and explode this moment into bits. I know it’s coming, the ring of your
phone, that moment when I’ll be left here all alone, and you go running back
home to her. I’m waiting for it, even as you press against me once more,
waiting for the ring, wishing desperately that I could ignore it. That you
would ignore it. She can’t love you the way that I can.
But the ring comes, a blare right through this moment, as I
knew it would. I want to say something. I wish you’d stay. I’d get down on my
knees and beg and plead. Ask if I give you what you need. Why do you go back to
her and leave me? Can’t you leave her and stay with me? I wish you’d see we
don’t have to live like this, that you could stay.
I don’t say any of it.
And you get dressed, kiss me, and let yourself out, as I
knew you would.
And a week later, there we are again tangled up in bed
sheets after making love. But it doesn’t feel like making love, not when you
share your love with someone else, and hide me way. From her. From everyone. I
ask again when you’ll leave, and you tell me it’s not the right time, that one
day that time will come, and you’ll leave her arms forever, to forever be in mine.
But I don’t think I believe you.
I’m tired of waiting for you, and tired of being used like
this. It’s too much pain. But still, I don’t stop you when you leave. Or tell
you we should stop.
The longer you’re away this time, the more time I have to think.
I can’t do this anymore. I’ve thought it before, but my will broke as soon as I
saw you. I’m afraid it will this time, too. But I’ve put so much into this, and
she still gets the best of you. So when you come calling, as I know you will, I
pray I have the strength to tell you.
The next time you show up at my door, I don’t fall to my
knees on the floor, beg you to leave her. I stand firm, tall and strong. Tell
you this is wrong. We can’t do this anymore. I can’t do this anymore.
Why don’t you stay with her? I used to think I couldn’t give you what you need,
but now I know it’s the other way around. I know she begs you not to go, and
next time she does, don’t leave her to come to me. I’m done with this. I don’t
want to live this way, and I don’t have to. Next time you want to be in my bed
instead, don’t leave her.
Stay.
I didn't guess the song but I appreciated the perspective shift to "the other woman" doing the right thing for herself and him and his other partner.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Well, that was the song's doing, really. But I hope you liked my story based on it. :) You should give the song a listen, too.
Delete