Tuesday Tales: From the Word DIE

Welcome back to Tuesday Tales. I hope summer is being kind to you. This week the Tuesday Tales’ authors are writing to the word prompt DIE. I’m continuing with It’s a Match, my contemporary second chance at love romance.

“He’s not too happy with you, is he?” I didn’t recognize the voice, but it seemed familiar, startling me out of my semiconscious state. “You didn’t exactly pick the best time to tell him all that.”

I sat up. How long had I been hiding here? I hadn’t worn my watch. The last thing I wanted to do was eavesdrop on a private conversation. I stood, reached for my mask, but one of the gloves fell onto the ground. I stooped to retrieve it, grateful for the slit in the skirt that made it possible.

“No, he isn’t, and you’re right. I should’ve kept my mouth shut and let the chips fall where they may, but I never expected things to go this far. I’ve been carrying the guilt around for too long. I came to England to escape it, but you can’t escape your past. It follows you everywhere. They say confession is good for the soul, but I didn’t expect Ken to be so angry. I never thought she’d take off like that, nor that he’d blame himself. My God, he could’ve died. He lost a leg because of me, and my damn mouth.” Her voice choked on the last words.

I stood riveted to the spot. I knew that voice. It was Karen. Ken had lost a leg? My God! He could’ve died just as he’d said. I dropped onto the bench once more. Tears brimmed my eyes, and I fought to keep them back. I’d been hurt and angry, but I’d never wanted anyone to die.

“Sweetheart, we’ve all done things we aren’t proud of.” In my mind’s eye, I saw him pull her into his arms. “That night, you were hurt and angry. You were in pain. When people hurt, they don’t see straight. They want others to hurt, too. They’d don’t see the big picture either. Unfortunately, it’s simply a law of physics. For each action, there’s an equal reaction. She believed what she saw was real and took off. If she’d really loved the man, don’t you think she would’ve given him the benefit of the doubt? I know I don’t know her, but to have risen in her field as she has, she has to be strong-willed, determined, and level headed. A woman can’t succeed in a man’s world without drive and ambition. If she was ready to believe the worst, then maybe she didn’t love the guy as much as she thought she did.”

That’s it. Stay safe, and don’t forget to check out the other Tuesday Tales.