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Relationship Troubles

Tiana Edwards

    Camille Ward stares out of the passenger’s seat window. She runs her fingers through her straight, long, blonde hair. “Just admit it. You are lost.” She turns to Glen Ward with narrow eyes.
    “I’m not lost. I just took a wrong turn. That’s all,” he says, and rolling his eyes.
    “We’ve been driving for hours.” She clenches both fists. “We should have been at your parent’s house two hours ago.”
    “I know but I have everything under control. We’ll be there in five minutes.” He shrinks back into his seat.
    “Call for directions,” she says. “Pull the car over and call for directions.”
    He pulls the car over to the side of the road. “This is a waste of time. I know exactly where I am going.” He pulls his cell phone out of his pocket and dials the number. “Uh.” He looks at the blank screen. He shifts in his seat and pulls at the collar of his shirt. “My phone just died.”
    “Are you serious?” She slams her right hand onto her forehead and groans. “I married an idiot.”
    “Hey, your phone is dead as well.” He narrows his eyes at her.
    “Why do I even bother?” She crosses her arms.
    “What does that even mean?”
    “It means I don’t know why I listen to you.” She sighs. “I wanted to fly.”
    He clenches his teeth and he turns the key to start the car but it makes a clicking sound. He slams his hands down on the steering wheel. “Unbelievable.”
    “This was a mistake.” She gazes out the window at the street.
    He gets out of the car and pulls the hood up. Smoke rises, and he groans. He slams the hood down, and he kicks the car until a sharp pain shoots up his leg. The license plate falls to the ground. He runs his fingers through his dirty blonde hair. He limps back to the driver’s side but can’t open the door. He knocks on the window. “Let me in.”
    She glares at him and shakes her head.
    “Oh, don’t be like this.” He limps to her side of the car. “I’m sorry. Is that what you want me to say? I’m sorry.” He knocks on her window. “Let me in, please.”
    She reaches over to the driver’s side and unlocks the door.
    He gets into the car. “I’m sorry. This wasn’t what I pictured.” He reaches for her chin. He turns her head toward him. He gazes into her sea green eyes. “We’ve been fighting for so long that I thought a relaxing road trip would be good for us.”
    “I haven’t been the easiest wife.” She stares at her lap. “I’m sorry.”
    “You’re perfect. I’m the idiot that thought this was a good idea.” He smiles.
    She giggles. “This was a horrible idea.”
    He chuckles. “We will fly back.”
    “We have to figure out where your parents live first.” She shrugs.
    The sound of knuckles hitting his window makes him turn around. He smiles. “Dad.”
    “Hey, Glenn,” Michael Ward says, “are you and your pretty wife going to stay out here all night or are you coming in?”
    “You live here?” Glenn asks. His mouth drops open and he blinks.
    “Just across the street,” he says. “Heard the ruckus.”
    “I was lost, and the car decided to stop working.” He gets out of the car and hugs his father.
    “We’ll worry about that tomorrow,” Michael says. “Come on.”
    Camille and Glenn glance at each other and have bright smiles on their faces. He puts his arm around her shoulder and she puts her arm around his back. They follow Michael.

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