Short stories are fun to write. It's a challenge to complete one in under three-hundred and fifty words. Enjoy.
DANCE 315 J. Brennan
Chet Mason took extra care shaving and
changed his tie twice. Satisfied, he peered at his image in the mirror, sighed
deeply.
“Marsha, there’s no point in dancing around
this. I’ve found someone else and I’m leaving you.” He threw his suitcases on
the bed. “I’m going to Chicago
on a business trip. I’ll come for the rest of my things when I return Friday
evening.
Marsha’s mouth flew open.
Chet held up his hand. “Let’s not have a
nasty discussion about this. I’ve made up my mind.”
She stood back as Chet carefully folded and
packed his clothes, grabbed his luggage, and went out the door. Shocked, she
didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Then anger took over. She went to the
kitchen, poured herself a good stiff drink, and then a second. “Chet, ole boy,
you haven’t begun to dance.”
It was Tuesday morning. Marsha had four days
to plan. First, she arranged to take the rest of the week off work and then
phoned a divorce lawyer. She made calls to the utilities and newspaper to discontinue
services Friday morning and finally contacted a realtor to find another place
to live. On her way to get packing boxes, she withdrew all the money from their
joint accounts and dropped Chet’s golf clubs, tools and stereo equipment at
Super Pawn.
Wednesday, between packing, she went with a
realtor to look at condos. She found one within walking distance of her work
and arranged to rent it until the deal closed.
Thursday, the movers come to load and
transport her belongings. Early Friday morning, she went back to the house to
box up the rest of Chet’s things.
She marked all the boxes before she sealed
them. Because it was summer, she carefully put a partially opened tin of
sardines in the middle of each one marked winter clothes.
Let Chet dance until he found the source of the odor.
When Olivia relocates from New York to her former hometown,
will she find love or will her decisions destroy a new relationship? Suspense,
rumors and gossip make "OLIVIA," by Joyce Brennan an ebook page
turner. Now available on Amazon.com for $4.99 
