This writing was accepted for publication in the 108 page perfect-bound ISSN# / ISBN# issue/book “Gone Fishing” Down in the Dirt, v173 (the July 2020 Issue) Order the paperback book:

Order this writing that appears in the one-of-a-kind anthology Outside the Box the Down in the Dirt May-Aug. 2020 issues collection book		get the 422 page May-Aug. 2020 Down in the Dirt 6" x 9" ISBN# paperback book:

Gone Fishing

Alison Ogilvie-Holme

    If it wasn’t for Leo and his goddamn obsession with leggy blondes, she wouldn’t be in this predicament: strange texts, phone calls at all hours of the night, angry men on their doorstep. Does he really think she is that naive? Or just plain stupid? Maybe he mistakes her silence for permission. Shit, Leo is already planning his next overnight ‘fishing trip’, not even suspecting that Caroline might have plans of her own.
    Oh sure, she knows what they think of her in town. The older ones tut-tutting as she passes by.
    Pathetic. No self-respect. I would never put up with that.
    The younger ones, barely able to conceal their amusement.
    Frumpy. Over the hill. No wonder she can’t keep her man.
    And the other ones, the chosen ones. How they instantly turn away from her, scrambling for any excuse to cross to the opposite side of the street.
    Tragic. Poor thing. I never meant for him to fall in love with me.
    Well fuck them! Fuck them all – especially Leo! She will not be the victim of their tired cliches. Today Caroline says so long to bullshit and Aloha to freedom.
    She pats her hip and feels the plane ticket and prepaid Visa card tucked deep within the pocket of her jeans, along with a stack of rolled bills. Once she arrives back on this side of the border minus thirty pounds and fifty thousand dollars, folks won’t even recognize her anymore. Old Caroline lost in translation.
    Just as she is about to go, the phone rings. Leo’s work number pops up on call display. Please stay, Caroline, she imagines him begging, You know, I love you. I’ve always loved you. A desperate plea that she has waited a lifetime to hear. But more likely, he is calling to discover why the hell their entire savings account has been wiped out. A dog on a bone hoping to catch her scent before the trail grows cold.
    As she leaves her house for the very last time, Caroline grabs her suitcase and tapes a farewell message to the front door. Scrawled across the back of a frayed wedding photo, in bright red lipstick, are two simple words: Gone Fishing.

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...