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Relic

Mario “Maxx” Hassell

    “I guess some treasure loses its value.”
    The words had left Sheila’s mouth and though she was unsure by his blank stare at the screen of his Macbook if they’d land at her intended destination, Kevin’s heart, she was sure they’d flown either straight through his ears or over his head altogether.
    “This is our biggest acquisition to date.”
    “You act like you’re incapable of reading a report. What in the hell is the point of a multi-million dollar payroll if they can’t just fill you in sometimes?” The door to their bedroom’s adjoining office served as the line she was drawing in the sand. She presently had no intention of occupying the same room as her husband.
    “I’m the expert!” His proclamation about himself was enough to finally pivot his head away from the laptop on his desk. As supportive as Sheila had been over the course of the last fourteen years, Kevin never had a problem being his own theme band.
    “And they’ve all been trained! Phoebe is only doing this exhibition once! She’s been training with Buttercup all summer!” The truth was that they had trained with the beautiful Arabian steed all summer. Phoebe didn’t have a practice that her doting mother didn’t accompany her to. Their hours at the stables had become the two gingers’ favorite parts of the week.
    “Someone’s gotta pay for Buttercup.”
    “I think Buttercup is fine. Do you really want Phoebe to remember you not being there for her first exhibition?”
    “I asked her. She’s not mad.”
    “Really? Like she’s gonna say ‘Yeah, Dad. Fuck you.’”
    “She would tell me.”
    “I swear, Kevin. You spend so much time under water you can’t tell when someone is over it.” And like the drastic changes in pressure when one navigates the various ocean depths, she felt the burden on her shoulder shift. It was time to leave.
    He remained in his chair, eyes still on the computer screen in front of him moving between two images that one of his assistants had just sent him from the exploration vessel. He gave no dismissal, but he built no bridge. And in this moment he could see clearly a once magnificent ship submerged in the Baltic Sea, he was oblivious to the single drop of water that traversed Sheila’s freckled cheek. So excited by this new beginning on the floor of the sea, he missed the end. And Sheila, staring at the back of the head of the bearded man in front of her, had already built a wall between her and the man he once was.
    They used to have a once upon a time. Now, the union that started on Cloud 9 was a relic. One that had not been preserved. And as much as she was used to her husband passing over her interest as carelessly as waves, Sheila wouldn’t impose this reality on Phoebe. Not even a sigh escaped as she made her way from the office door across their expansive bedroom into her walk in closet. The three packed bags had been there in plain view for weeks. She just needed enough to start. They sold clothes everywhere. And there were few things on the planet retailing that she could not buy.
    Within minutes, she and Phoebe were making their way out of the front door. Kevin caught a glimpse of them and stood up to wave to Phoebe. He’d find a way to make it up to her when they got back. They’d go to the exhibition and be back in a day or two.
    “I love you, Dad!”
    Kevin smiled but was disturbed by the tear he saw her wipe away. He had no idea that the two were tired of being worthless relics to him. He didn’t know it yet, but he had missed the end.

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