---

 

This writing was accepted for publication in the 108 page perfect-bound ISSN# / ISBN# issue/book “Where Icarus Went” Down in the Dirt v216 (2/24) Order the paperback book:

Order this writing that appears in the one-of-a-kind anthology The Limits of Imagination the Down in the Dirt January - April 2024 issues collection book		get the 422 page January - April 2024 Down in the Dirt 6" x 9" ISBN# perfect-bound paperback book:

Tie

Marissa McCarthy

    He wore his favorite tie today. He told me he would never wear it except for special occasions. It wasn’t a special looking tie to me. It was green and black with hints of gold swirled into it; he loved it from the moment he saw it in the store down the way from our home. I never fancied it, not in the slightest.
    I arrived home around ten past the 8 o’clock hour, and he was waiting for me by the door, wearing his special tie.
    “Welcome home, darling. Let’s go.” He said.
    I looked at him and was confused as to where we were going so late in the evening.
    “It’s a surprise, my love, get back in the cab, we must go.”
    We hurried into the cab and drove to a hotel about two towns over. The cab pulled us around the front, and he got out to open the door for me. We walked inside to be greeted with a kind doorman who takes the bag away from my husband’s grasp. He got keys to a room, and we walked inside.
    “It’s not the fanciest place around, but my dear this is such a special place.” He said.
    The room had two full-size beds with a lamp overhead the beds with a telephone in between on top of a nightstand.
    “This place looks like rubble. Why on god’s earth would you take me to a place like this?” I asked.
    The look on my husband’s face when he heard those words escape from my mouth, was the face of disappointment and rage.
    “I go through all this trouble to plan this special night for you, and you don’t even appreciate the things I do for you, woman! God damn you!” He said.
     He storms off back onto a small patio and slams the door shut, making the room shake and rumble underneath my feet. I let him stew in his anger while I sit in the chair in the corner of the room. I take a moment and look around the room once more. In the far corner of the room is a red gift bag, wrapped tightly by a piece of string which had a bright bow intertwined. I get up to investigate the contents of the bag and he rushes in and throws me to the bed.
    “Don’t touch that. You don’t deserve it after what you said to me.” He said.
    My husband was a fair man. Worked late hours at the office and would always find time to stop at our local shop and bring me flowers at least once a week. He takes care of my children that aren’t his and loves them like his own. I look at him and shutter.
    “I’m sorry, darling. I didn’t mean to upset you.”
    He doesn’t say a word and went back out on the patio without making a sound. I gather myself and make my way out onto the patio to sit across from him.
    “I didn’t want this night to go like this. Why are you so upset?” I said.
    I reached out to him in desperation to get him to speak his thoughts to me.
    He looks into my eyes and lowers his head.
    “Darling, I got a promotion at work. I found out when I was leaving for the night. I wanted to surprise you with a night out on the town, but starting with settling into this room before we went. I bought you a dress, to match my tie. I wanted to treat you to a delightful evening to celebrate this occasion. You went and ruined it. Why is it you don’t stop and look around and just appreciate what you have?” He said.
    I got up and looked around the room once more, but this time, with meaning behind it. I was so caught up in my ways- how I wanted things to be with this room and this night. I never have stopped to appreciate what I have when it’s right in front of me and in my life, that I couldn’t even stop for a second to not judge where he took me.
    “I love you, Harvey. I’m sorry.” I said.
     I put the dress on and look into the mirror.
    “You look beautiful darling. Let’s go and enjoy the rest of evening on the town. I love you.” He said.
    I now appreciate my husband and love his tie even more.

Copyright of written pieces remain with the author, who has allowed it to be shown through Scars Publications and Design.Web site © Scars Publications and Design. All rights reserved. No material may be reprinted without express permission from the author.

Problems with this page? Then deal with it...