As the Wind Blows

Fiction

A short-story

Syelow opened the door to see Leo’s body lying and drooped off the couch. His mouth was open, releasing the thunderous snores. The hollow whiskey bottle sat on its side next to the ashtray overflowing with cigarette butts, burned to the filter. The television was on and Jeopardy was showing.

She tousled her long hair and held it back in exasperation. She flung her purse to the table, five feet away. Syelow picked up the empty bottle with bitterness — another day of love poured away.

She worked long hours at the diner to pay the bills. She believed he would change, but with each drunken episode, she learned the empty promises were lies. She lied to herself by believing him.

On her way to the bedroom, she passed a photo of her and Leo taken ten years ago on a beach in Mexico. It was the trip they ventured on for their engagement.

I’ll always be there for you, Syelow. You’ve made me the happiest man in the world. I love you, babe.

Syelow took the frame off the shelf and held it to her chest. As her eyes started to tear, she stared at the man on the couch, then at the photo, and lastly, her eyes met the bottle that was shaking in her other hand. She grew hot and her face became tense.

She launched the bottle into the wall. The photo frame went next. The sounds of the broken glass felt liberating.

Leo flinched his head to the other side and continued to snore.

She raced to the bedroom. One by one, she jerked each dresser drawer open. Yanking the closet door open, she grabbed the purple suitcase they shared for the trip to Mexico.

Syelow slammed the neatly folded clothes inside. To follow was jewelry, a thick envelope with personal documents, and a beach towel.

She turned on the shower and stripped off her clothes.

The water warmed up, and as the steam filled the air around her, she stepped into the tub. The stream was hotter than it should’ve been, but she couldn’t feel it. She bawled and slammed her fist against the walls around her.

Once Syelow finished her shower, she caught a glance of her fogged reflection. She rubbed a space to…

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