Something a little different today, short story. This feels a little vulnerable, so would love any feedback if you decide to read it - comment, text me, email! ❤️
Glo burned a hole in her table with her eyes. Her gaze was stuck staring at a spot on the glossy, formica top. For a couple hundred bucks she thought her retro kitchen table was a steal, even if it did take her and her brother Jack all night to put it together. Even though the rest of her home was decidedly not retro, she had been in love with the idea of a retro kitchen table since the first time she saw one watching the movie Pleasantville as a teen. Hers was perfect, even if it did lean a little to the left when you sat a certain way.
“Glo, are you with us?” Agent Lett asked, startling Glo out of her daze.
“We know this is a lot, but we really need you to focus. You’re going to have a million questions when we leave...if we leave...and it’s important you’re paying attention.” Agent Holt explained. She was more gentle than Agent Lett who came across as distant, and didn’t seem to leave a lot of room for small chat. Not that anyone was interested in small chat this evening. Glo did have to admit they both had a way about them that made her feel safe.
“Look, I, I...I just can’t believe what you’re telling me. You’re asking me to believe that my brother, Jack, who has been a mechanic for 15 years...that he is involved with, with... ‘the government?’ Whatever that’s supposed to mean. Jack who tells me everything. Jack who brings me coffee every week. Jack. You just expect me to believe that MY simple, kind, easy going brother is a.....ugh, and I’m just supposed to take you at your word even though I’ve never met either of you before tonight, and I can’t call Jack or anyone to verify anything you’re telling me. Am I getting this straight?”
Agent Lett and Holt exchanged glances with one another and as they looked back at Glo said “correct,” in unison. It was strange, how in sync they seemed to be.
“I just don’t think I can accept what you’re saying....you could be...sex traffickers for all I know....maybe you’re going to put me on a bus and send me to Mexico...” Glo stammered, “or maybe you’re psychotic lovers who get off on playing with your victims heads before you murder them...maybe you’re going to knock me over the head any minute,” Glo said, talking a mile at minute more so to herself than Lett and Holt. With her last words she abruptly stood up sending her chair flying backwards, almost tipping over. It balanced on its edge for a good five seconds before tumbling back towards the table. They had all watched it’s balancing act in silence. It felt like they were in another dimension almost. Or a movie.
Glo got up and began patting her hand around the top of her refrigerator. When she didn’t find what she was looking for she began fumbling through her junk drawer. It got stuck when you pulled it out too far and she had yanked it pretty hard when she pulled it open. She started emptying its contents on her counter. “I know I hid them somewhere...where are they hiding...” as she said the word, hiding, the second time, she froze. Standing up and turning around slowly she faced the agents at her table. “You want me to go IN HIDING based on your word alone? What if I did that...what if I,” her voice trailed off and she suddenly jerked back around digging frantically through the drawer before using her hip to knock it shut.
“Glo, are you looking for a cigarette?” Agent Lett said pulling a pack out of his jacket pocket and laying it and a lighter on the table.
“I don’t smoke Mr. Lett, thank you very much.” She said matter of factly, before turning her head away from him as she sat down. “But I was looking for the emergency cigarettes I keep...you know for emergencies.” She said sheepishly. “WAIT! How did you know that’s what I was looking for??! Have you been in my house before?! You took my emergency cigarettes didn’t you?” She said staring down Lett as her eyes narrowed.
“Glo,” Holt said as she gently put her hand on her arm. “We’ve never been in your house, but we do know a lot about you, it’s our job.”
“Yea and this isn’t our first rodeo,” Lett said as he picked up the lighter and held it to the cigarette Glo had pursed between her lips.
“For all I know, I could agree to go with you two, and this could all be some great farce. I could be giving up my life for nothing. I just don’t understand how you think I can even entertain the idea of this, much less the reality, without...MORE...just more.” Glo said with a calm indignation, and a sigh of defeat.
“Glo, we understand and this isn’t how we like to do things. But the truth is, you’re in trouble. It isn’t safe here and we need to move you from this location before we can even go into all the details of the Witness Protection program. We just simply don’t have time. Like Agent Holt told you, if you want time to think it over, we will give it to you. But we can’t guarantee your safety overnight. If we leave you, you might not ever leave this house again. At least not upright.” Agent Lett said in his dry monotone voice.
“And Glo, Jack would be devastated if something happened to you, especially because of him.” Holt said, playing her good cop role to a T.
Glo sat there, as her cigarette continued to turn into ash, trying to wrap her head around getting up from her table, the one her and Jack had spent all night putting together, and just walking out on her life. No clothes, no shoes, no books. No rock collection. None of her favorite socks.
Glo broke the silence by whispering under her breath, again talking more to herself than anyone, “I just don’t think I can do it...” her voice trialing off. After an extended silence Glo took the cigarette and put it out on the table. Her favorite table. And with that, she gave them her answer.
Those last 3 lines ... Wow! All of it kept me reading so fast that my head is spinning. I need to know about Jack, about Glo, about her decision?! I'm on the edge of my seat here !!!! Keep writing and creating. You are amazing !.
This is really good. I'm on the edge of my seat wanting to know more :)