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"Moving On"
copyright June 2002
by Souvie

(A "flash" story in 275 words.)


Shelia folded the clothes nicely before placing them in the
suitcase sitting on her bed.

"I wish you didn't have to do this." Rick sat on the edge of
the bed, watching with tired eyes.

"I wish you'd go with me," she countered.

He ran his hands through his already-rumpled hair. "I've
already told you, I've got a good job, a house I've lived in all
my life, friends, solid roots. I love you, but I don't want to
give all that up to move halfway 'round the country."

"Then I guess we have nothing more to say to each other," she
held the tears back, no matter how much they threatened to fall.
She wouldn't let him see her cry again.

"You could turn down the promotion," he suggested gently.

She shook her head. "This is the chance of a lifetime, Rick,
what I've been working so hard for the last seven years. With
the company cutbacks this year, if I don't take this promotion
I'm out of a job."

"If you really loved me -"

"Don't pull that shit on me! Don't you dare!" She was angry
now, shoving clothes into the case, her earlier neatness gone.

"I'm sorry." He grasped her hands, stilling her motions, and
pulled her around to him, her legs cradled between his thighs.
He lay his head against her stomach. "Stay with me one more
night, please, Shelia. One last time together."

She ran her hands through his thick hair, tears edging the
corners of her eyes. "I'm afraid you'll try to change my mind."

"It's not your mind I'm trying to change . . . it's mine."

THE END