February Sucks is a project that really sucked me into writing here. All the alternate endings, all the different reactions, they say so many things about the writers.
I actually have a couple of different directions that I considered going with this. We'll see if I follow through with any of the others.
The main points that I wanted to hit were Linda's choice and what it meant about her faithfulness, and what it meant about how she looked at Jim.
I think that I got it pretty well. You guys please let me know.
*****
The front door creaked open. Jim didn't turn around, his hands gripping the edge of the kitchen counter as if that was all that kept him standing upright. He could hear the faint rustling of her coat, the soft click of her boots upon tile. He had been waiting all night for just this very moment. His body screamed with exhaustion, but his anger wouldn't let him rest. Not yet.
"Jim?" Her voice was cautious, tentative. "I'm back."
No apology. No explanation. Just that casual tone of a person who thought they could step out of their life for a night, indulge in whatever fantasies they desired and come back as if nothing had changed. As if she hadn't destroyed something precious.
He didn't turn. He could hear her setting down her purse, the faint jingle of keys. She was acting like nothing had happened, like she hadn't spent the night in another man's arms, like their love wasn't obliterated.
"Jim?" she repeated, her tone a little softer, a little more probing now. "I... are you okay?
That was it. The breaking point.
