Quote of the day: 

Love takes off masks that we fear we cannot live without and know we cannot live within.
~James Baldwin


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"I can't take this any more. I am leaving you."

"What"? His scream had pierced through my earpiece as I sat in my cubicle at work, during my closing hour. I looked around as my co-workers went about their work, trying to pretend as if they weren't listening in to my phone conversation.  

I can't take it any longer, I think I deserve better...so I'm leaving you John.

At this point he lowered his voice to a barely audible whisper. "Listen to me FiFi, " he said. The nickname he had given me once, now sounded so annoying to my ears.

"Don't call me that," I snapped back.

"Okay sorry, listen to me Sophie, you can't do this to me," he said. "We can make this work, give me another chance, he pleaded."

But I was past caring."Goodbye John, I wish you all the best with your life" I replied and hung up.

I felt numb afterwards. Two years of lies, deceit, fights, abuse and most recently betrayal. I was awash with emotions and didn't know when the tears started flowing.

I had to be brave. I had to move on with myself. I didn't want to appear hysterical so I gathered my things, went to the wash room to re-apply my makeup.

It was 8:00 pm, my evening shift was over so I clocked out of the office building. I didn't want to go back to my apartment, I knew John would be waiting for me there. I had to look for a place -any place, to clear my thoughts.

I went past many bars and cafés on the streets, all very popular with blue collar folks on Friday evenings. The names on them looked vaguely familiar. Invitations to hang out at some 'after work party bar' were always passed around at the office on Fridays -I never attended any. I didn't know how to tell them that I hated crowded places, loud music, and that I barely knew how to drink -without throwing up.

My phone kept ringing in my bag but I ignored it.

I braced myself, and walked into the nearest bar. Tonight I needed to celebrate my freedom....



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This is part of a short story fiction collection that I am writing.

Enjoy the week ahead folks!
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Current Listen:  Usher -Scream