“Shouldn’t you be getting home, bud?” Andy patted Jordan’s shoulder. He downed the last of his beer and stretched. “If I don’t head out soon your aunt is going to kill me”. He grabbed Jordan’s shoulders and shook him in the same way he’s been doing since Jordan was fifteen and they took him out to his first beer. “You know how she gets!”
Jordan was still mid-way through his beer, and he saw no reason to hurry. Meg won’t be home for another couple of hours. She was taking yet another class. Bartending or juggling or pole dancing or god knows which one this time. He was having trouble keeping up. All he knew was that they ran long and cost a shit ton of money. Money they didn’t really have.
He loved his wife, really he did. He’s loved her since he was sixteen. Why else, he thought sometimes, would I put up with her crap? Why else will he not put a stop to her spending, a stop to her endless pursuit for a profession that was supposed to make all of her wishes come true – fame, fortune, easy hours. Meg still lived in some sort of dream world in which there was some magical answer that unlocked all of the world’s goodness and richness to her.
As if the world gave a flying fuck.
“You alright, kiddo?” his father asked. He wasn’t the most sensitive of men, nor particularly intuitive. But since Jordan worked for his family’s construction and renovation company, they spent an awful lot of time together. It was kind of hard to miss the fact he never hurried home. Or that she didn’t come to visit him much anymore, bringing him lunch and stealing him away to make out somewhere out of sight “Trouble at home?”
“Nah,” Jordan wasn’t sure if it was loyalty to Meg that kept him from confiding in his dad, confiding in anyone really, or his own sense of wounded pride. “She’s just working late”.
“Not too late, I hope”. Bobby McBride said. “You two are still practically newlyweds. You should be going out, having fun. Or, better yet, work on getting me some grandchildren”. He laughed uproariously.
Jordan nearly spat out the big gulp of beer he’d just chugged. Not likely, dad, he thought bitterly. One child in this marriage is enough.
Jordan was still mid-way through his beer, and he saw no reason to hurry. Meg won’t be home for another couple of hours. She was taking yet another class. Bartending or juggling or pole dancing or god knows which one this time. He was having trouble keeping up. All he knew was that they ran long and cost a shit ton of money. Money they didn’t really have.
He loved his wife, really he did. He’s loved her since he was sixteen. Why else, he thought sometimes, would I put up with her crap? Why else will he not put a stop to her spending, a stop to her endless pursuit for a profession that was supposed to make all of her wishes come true – fame, fortune, easy hours. Meg still lived in some sort of dream world in which there was some magical answer that unlocked all of the world’s goodness and richness to her.
As if the world gave a flying fuck.
“You alright, kiddo?” his father asked. He wasn’t the most sensitive of men, nor particularly intuitive. But since Jordan worked for his family’s construction and renovation company, they spent an awful lot of time together. It was kind of hard to miss the fact he never hurried home. Or that she didn’t come to visit him much anymore, bringing him lunch and stealing him away to make out somewhere out of sight “Trouble at home?”
“Nah,” Jordan wasn’t sure if it was loyalty to Meg that kept him from confiding in his dad, confiding in anyone really, or his own sense of wounded pride. “She’s just working late”.
“Not too late, I hope”. Bobby McBride said. “You two are still practically newlyweds. You should be going out, having fun. Or, better yet, work on getting me some grandchildren”. He laughed uproariously.
Jordan nearly spat out the big gulp of beer he’d just chugged. Not likely, dad, he thought bitterly. One child in this marriage is enough.
Sara's apartment
May 13, 2019
Late afternoon
Sara wrapped the rope around Meg's torso one last time pulling it snug and then knotting it in the back. "Okay, betcha can't get out of that," Sara challenged as she walked over to the kitchen table and picked up the stopwatch, and cleared it. "Ready," she asked, her index finger on the button.
Meg tested her bonds as she sat securely bound to a kitchen chair in her best friend Sara's home. Her blonde hair had been pulled back into a single ponytail. She had dressed comfortably in jeans and a loose-fitting faded t-shirt she'd purchased at a Teagan and Sara concert some years back.
The ropes definitely felt good and tight and dug slightly into her skin where her arms were exposed just below the shirt's sleeves. Meg took a deep breath, let it out slowly, and closed her eyes for a moment before popping them both back open.
"Hold it! You used a square knot like I told you this time," Meg inquired.
"Sure did," Sara confirmed reaching into a bag of potato chips and taking a bite out of one with her free hand awaiting her friend's signal.
"And no slipknots? That would be cheating," Meg asked quickly.
"Nope, but maybe I should duct tape your mouth for effect. At least I'd get a few minutes of quiet," Sara teased.
Meg scowled. "Cute," Meg shot back. "Yeah, maybe at some point just because that would look even more impressive and then I couldn't use my teeth, not that I'm going to in this escape. Okay, I'm ready... and go!"
Sara pressed the button on top of the stopwatch and it began counting. Meg struggled a bit. Her hands were tied behind her back and secured to a crossbar of the chair's back. Her upper body was wrapped in white cotton rope pinning her arms to her side and securing her to the chair.
The chair rocked back and forth as Meg tried desperately to work herself free from her restraints. So far, she wasn't having a lot of luck. Her shoulders shimmied up and down as she hoped to slide the ropes up to make some slack. So far, the ropes continued to hold her tight. Meg then tried twisting her body, but it was no good. She was pressed against the back of the chair. Her fingers wiggled uselessly. There wasn't anything in reach to get hold of. The knots were out of reach.
"Don't give up," Sara said. It was unclear if she was taunting Meg or trying to be encouraging. Meg just shot her friend an annoyed look and kept going.
"How long has it been," She asked as she continued to tug in vain at her bonds.
"Just over a minute," Sara informed her.
Shit. She should at least have a hand free by this point. If it took longer than two or three minutes, the whole thing would be a bust. Meg paused took a deep breath again and closed her eyes, thinking back to the YouTube videos she'd watched. She was flailing around too much and wearing herself out.
Escape was the latest in a long line of short-lived interests of Meg's. Ever since high school, Meg had dreamed of being a Vegas performer. She'd been captain of the cheerleading team and had taken dance lessons since not long after she learned to walk. Well, at least nursery school anyway. Meg had taken a variety of dance classes since then including ariel hoop which was probably closer to gymnastics, and even pole classes. Her husband Jay had objected to that one. After all, it was a bit embarrassing for him to have what he called a 'stripper pole' in the back bedroom that had become Meg's make-shift dance studio, complete with a cracked full-length mirror hanging on the closet door.
Jay did his best to make ends meet and provide for her at his construction job. He had dreamed of being a pro football player and had hoped to get into college on a scholarship, but nothing had come of it sadly. Meanwhile, Meg had used her college money to take classes to fulfill her dream. She worked at restaurants and bars as a waitress but it was short-lived. Her head and heart were always in the clouds fantasizing about her name being in lights outside one of the big casinos. Besides, a job took away from her practice time.
Meg's biggest challenge wasn't her dancing skills. She was still looking for her 'thing'. After a year or two of dancing, Meg began to question if that was what she wanted to be known for. One night after coming in from karaoke at a local bar with Jay, Meg had decided that she wanted to be a singer and started voice lessons a week later. While her voice was decent, she was no virtuoso. When nothing came of auditioning for backup parts in Vegas shows and no one would even hire her as a dancer, even at small clubs, it was back to the drawing board.
Since then, Meg had tried to be a bartender, a card dealer, a celebrity impersonator, a comedian, and now a magician. It had started with card tricks, then sleight of hand, and now escape.
"Time," Sara called, snapping Meg back to reality.
"What," Meg said looking toward Sara.
"You hit three minutes and you don't even have the ropes loose yet," Sara informed her.
"Fuck," Meg sighed throwing her head back in defeat.
"Jennifer's going to be here soon," Sara stated glancing at the clock. Her roommate that she shared the apartment with was scheduled to be home in just over half an hour. "I better untie you or we're both going to have a very awkward situation explaining why you're all trussed up in the middle of the kitchen like this and I really don't want to have to explain it to her."
Meg just nodded. "Maybe this isn't my thing either," she conceded. "I did order a straitjacket on eBay, though. Maybe I'll have better luck with that."
"A straitjacket? Like for crazy people," Sara asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah, like Houdini," Meg replied. "Look I know what you're thinking. If I can't get free from ropes, how can I get out of a straitjacket? But I've been watching a lot of videos and that actually looks easier. It's a bit more methodical..."
"You're going to end up in a straitjacket in one of those mental hospitals if you keep this up, Meg. Your husband has to think you're crazy," Sara informed her. She had been standing in front of Meg and bent down so now she was inches from her face. The conversation was starting to turn into a lecture.
"I don't know, maybe I am," she admitted. "Uh, you gonna let me out?"
Sara moved behind her friend and started to undo the main knot.
A few minutes later, Sara headed out to her car. The rope was neatly coiled up. She tossed it in the backseat along with the roll of cotton cord that had been used to bind her hands. She waved to Sara before getting in her car and heading home. Jay would be home in a little while if he didn't go out to the bar with his buddies after work.
May 13, 2019
Late afternoon
Sara wrapped the rope around Meg's torso one last time pulling it snug and then knotting it in the back. "Okay, betcha can't get out of that," Sara challenged as she walked over to the kitchen table and picked up the stopwatch, and cleared it. "Ready," she asked, her index finger on the button.
Meg tested her bonds as she sat securely bound to a kitchen chair in her best friend Sara's home. Her blonde hair had been pulled back into a single ponytail. She had dressed comfortably in jeans and a loose-fitting faded t-shirt she'd purchased at a Teagan and Sara concert some years back.
The ropes definitely felt good and tight and dug slightly into her skin where her arms were exposed just below the shirt's sleeves. Meg took a deep breath, let it out slowly, and closed her eyes for a moment before popping them both back open.
"Hold it! You used a square knot like I told you this time," Meg inquired.
"Sure did," Sara confirmed reaching into a bag of potato chips and taking a bite out of one with her free hand awaiting her friend's signal.
"And no slipknots? That would be cheating," Meg asked quickly.
"Nope, but maybe I should duct tape your mouth for effect. At least I'd get a few minutes of quiet," Sara teased.
Meg scowled. "Cute," Meg shot back. "Yeah, maybe at some point just because that would look even more impressive and then I couldn't use my teeth, not that I'm going to in this escape. Okay, I'm ready... and go!"
Sara pressed the button on top of the stopwatch and it began counting. Meg struggled a bit. Her hands were tied behind her back and secured to a crossbar of the chair's back. Her upper body was wrapped in white cotton rope pinning her arms to her side and securing her to the chair.
The chair rocked back and forth as Meg tried desperately to work herself free from her restraints. So far, she wasn't having a lot of luck. Her shoulders shimmied up and down as she hoped to slide the ropes up to make some slack. So far, the ropes continued to hold her tight. Meg then tried twisting her body, but it was no good. She was pressed against the back of the chair. Her fingers wiggled uselessly. There wasn't anything in reach to get hold of. The knots were out of reach.
"Don't give up," Sara said. It was unclear if she was taunting Meg or trying to be encouraging. Meg just shot her friend an annoyed look and kept going.
"How long has it been," She asked as she continued to tug in vain at her bonds.
"Just over a minute," Sara informed her.
Shit. She should at least have a hand free by this point. If it took longer than two or three minutes, the whole thing would be a bust. Meg paused took a deep breath again and closed her eyes, thinking back to the YouTube videos she'd watched. She was flailing around too much and wearing herself out.
Escape was the latest in a long line of short-lived interests of Meg's. Ever since high school, Meg had dreamed of being a Vegas performer. She'd been captain of the cheerleading team and had taken dance lessons since not long after she learned to walk. Well, at least nursery school anyway. Meg had taken a variety of dance classes since then including ariel hoop which was probably closer to gymnastics, and even pole classes. Her husband Jay had objected to that one. After all, it was a bit embarrassing for him to have what he called a 'stripper pole' in the back bedroom that had become Meg's make-shift dance studio, complete with a cracked full-length mirror hanging on the closet door.
Jay did his best to make ends meet and provide for her at his construction job. He had dreamed of being a pro football player and had hoped to get into college on a scholarship, but nothing had come of it sadly. Meanwhile, Meg had used her college money to take classes to fulfill her dream. She worked at restaurants and bars as a waitress but it was short-lived. Her head and heart were always in the clouds fantasizing about her name being in lights outside one of the big casinos. Besides, a job took away from her practice time.
Meg's biggest challenge wasn't her dancing skills. She was still looking for her 'thing'. After a year or two of dancing, Meg began to question if that was what she wanted to be known for. One night after coming in from karaoke at a local bar with Jay, Meg had decided that she wanted to be a singer and started voice lessons a week later. While her voice was decent, she was no virtuoso. When nothing came of auditioning for backup parts in Vegas shows and no one would even hire her as a dancer, even at small clubs, it was back to the drawing board.
Since then, Meg had tried to be a bartender, a card dealer, a celebrity impersonator, a comedian, and now a magician. It had started with card tricks, then sleight of hand, and now escape.
"Time," Sara called, snapping Meg back to reality.
"What," Meg said looking toward Sara.
"You hit three minutes and you don't even have the ropes loose yet," Sara informed her.
"Fuck," Meg sighed throwing her head back in defeat.
"Jennifer's going to be here soon," Sara stated glancing at the clock. Her roommate that she shared the apartment with was scheduled to be home in just over half an hour. "I better untie you or we're both going to have a very awkward situation explaining why you're all trussed up in the middle of the kitchen like this and I really don't want to have to explain it to her."
Meg just nodded. "Maybe this isn't my thing either," she conceded. "I did order a straitjacket on eBay, though. Maybe I'll have better luck with that."
"A straitjacket? Like for crazy people," Sara asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah, like Houdini," Meg replied. "Look I know what you're thinking. If I can't get free from ropes, how can I get out of a straitjacket? But I've been watching a lot of videos and that actually looks easier. It's a bit more methodical..."
"You're going to end up in a straitjacket in one of those mental hospitals if you keep this up, Meg. Your husband has to think you're crazy," Sara informed her. She had been standing in front of Meg and bent down so now she was inches from her face. The conversation was starting to turn into a lecture.
"I don't know, maybe I am," she admitted. "Uh, you gonna let me out?"
Sara moved behind her friend and started to undo the main knot.
A few minutes later, Sara headed out to her car. The rope was neatly coiled up. She tossed it in the backseat along with the roll of cotton cord that had been used to bind her hands. She waved to Sara before getting in her car and heading home. Jay would be home in a little while if he didn't go out to the bar with his buddies after work.
Jay was relieved to see the lights on when he parked outside their bungalow. She was home. For all the tension her careless spending caused, he lit him up like no one else in the world. Coming home to her every day still made him happy.
Though their place wasn’t fancy, Jordan loved it. Loved the fact they had a place of their own, no longer sneaking around like they did as teenagers. He’d renovated parts of it himself. Their bathroom most notably, expanding the shower and installing a sink she liked because it reminded her of the kind of fancy hotel rooms they could never afford. Their bedroom was always going to be one of the projects he wanted to do. But even though he had the skills and practice to do the work and could spare the time for it. He couldn’t spare the money. They couldn’t.
“Hi babe” he called as he came in. He locked and bolted the door behind him. They won’t be going out tonight. It was late and he was beat. “How was your class?” he didn’t want to admit he couldn’t remember which class it was. “Did you get dinner started or do you want me to cook?” Of them two of them, he was better in the kitchen. His palate wasn’t refined, and he didn’t know a lot of dishes, but those he knew he cooked with skill and enjoyment. “I need a shower first, though. Today’s been nuts. We just finished the wall in the Hadersons’ place, and a pipe burst in the other room. What a mess.”
Though their place wasn’t fancy, Jordan loved it. Loved the fact they had a place of their own, no longer sneaking around like they did as teenagers. He’d renovated parts of it himself. Their bathroom most notably, expanding the shower and installing a sink she liked because it reminded her of the kind of fancy hotel rooms they could never afford. Their bedroom was always going to be one of the projects he wanted to do. But even though he had the skills and practice to do the work and could spare the time for it. He couldn’t spare the money. They couldn’t.
“Hi babe” he called as he came in. He locked and bolted the door behind him. They won’t be going out tonight. It was late and he was beat. “How was your class?” he didn’t want to admit he couldn’t remember which class it was. “Did you get dinner started or do you want me to cook?” Of them two of them, he was better in the kitchen. His palate wasn’t refined, and he didn’t know a lot of dishes, but those he knew he cooked with skill and enjoyment. “I need a shower first, though. Today’s been nuts. We just finished the wall in the Hadersons’ place, and a pipe burst in the other room. What a mess.”
McBride Home
May 13, 2019
Early evening
Meg made it home a little later than she had meant to. Jay would be home shortly. Hopefully, the red marks on her arms and wrists wouldn't be visible by the time he got in. She decided to pass the time straightening up a bit before he got off work. That would at least make it look like she'd done something productive with herself today.
Meg was just finishing dusting all of the countertops when she heard Jay pull up a moment later. “Hi babe” he called as he came in. He locked and bolted the door behind him. Meg quickly disposed of the rag she'd been dusting with. “How was your class?”
"Hey," Meg called back from the living room, as she met him mid-way and embraced him. "Class? Oh, you mean the poker stuff? It wasn't working out. I still can't shuffle a deck of cards, so I figured, what's the point? I've been working on magic... don't worry, it's not another class! I've been watching videos on YouTube!" She cringed, anticipating Jay would tear into her about wasting money and not sticking with things again.
“Did you get dinner started or do you want me to cook? I need a shower first, though."
"Oh, dinner! I was straightening up since I got in and lost track of time," Meg said apologetically. "Listen, you've had a rough day. Why don't I cover it while you go get your shower?"
In all truth, she wasn't much of a cook and if it was left to her, they'd have something simple like hamburgers or sloppy joes. She would prefer that Jay cooked, but felt guilty asking him after he'd put in a long day. She'd spent most of her afternoon at her best friend's place. Her pride was still wounded that she'd had no luck in her escape attempt.
"Today’s been nuts. We just finished the wall in the Hadersons’ place, and a pipe burst in the other room. What a mess.”
"Oh Jesus," Meg replied. "Was the company responsible for the damages?"
May 13, 2019
Early evening
Meg made it home a little later than she had meant to. Jay would be home shortly. Hopefully, the red marks on her arms and wrists wouldn't be visible by the time he got in. She decided to pass the time straightening up a bit before he got off work. That would at least make it look like she'd done something productive with herself today.
Meg was just finishing dusting all of the countertops when she heard Jay pull up a moment later. “Hi babe” he called as he came in. He locked and bolted the door behind him. Meg quickly disposed of the rag she'd been dusting with. “How was your class?”
"Hey," Meg called back from the living room, as she met him mid-way and embraced him. "Class? Oh, you mean the poker stuff? It wasn't working out. I still can't shuffle a deck of cards, so I figured, what's the point? I've been working on magic... don't worry, it's not another class! I've been watching videos on YouTube!" She cringed, anticipating Jay would tear into her about wasting money and not sticking with things again.
“Did you get dinner started or do you want me to cook? I need a shower first, though."
"Oh, dinner! I was straightening up since I got in and lost track of time," Meg said apologetically. "Listen, you've had a rough day. Why don't I cover it while you go get your shower?"
In all truth, she wasn't much of a cook and if it was left to her, they'd have something simple like hamburgers or sloppy joes. She would prefer that Jay cooked, but felt guilty asking him after he'd put in a long day. She'd spent most of her afternoon at her best friend's place. Her pride was still wounded that she'd had no luck in her escape attempt.
"Today’s been nuts. We just finished the wall in the Hadersons’ place, and a pipe burst in the other room. What a mess.”
"Oh Jesus," Meg replied. "Was the company responsible for the damages?"
"No, it wasn't us" he said in response to her question, stretching his sore arms. "They were having a hot tub installed, and something went wrong. Still set us back a good coupe of hours and drenched some materials. Dad was pissed". He kissed her briefly then went up to take a shower.
He tried very hard not to notice that the tidying up she said took so long, really didn't extend far beyond the living room. He wasn't going to pick another fight. His heart dropped to the pit of his stomach when he herd she wasn't sticking with poker either, but at least her new pursuit seemed to fit their budget. Which is to say cost nothing.
He was getting more and more worried about their finances. Not only was Meg not bringing in any income, but her constant flitting from one decision to another set them back again and again. It wasn't fair, he was too young to already be so behind. He wasn't a bitter person by nature, but resentment was beginning to build up. It made him notice little things he didn't care much about before. Like how little effort she put in around the house.
He turned the water on full heat and stepped in. The day has been exhausting, but most days were. He worked hard, physical labor. His dad and uncles got to go home to clean places, great meals and supportive wives. He... well... she was hot and he loved her. But the rest... He scrubbed his body and head with the simple body wash he used, again trying not to notice the fancier ones she bought for herself. He didn't want to be annoyed at her spending money on herself, but it was hard not to feel a little frustration.
Breathe in. Breathe out. Don't let it get to you. He told himself. They've recently done a simple dry wall patch at a yoga studio, and one of the instructors taught him that as she was shamelessly flirting with him. He didn't encourage her in any way, at least, he thought he didn't. But it was nice to be looked at like that, not taken for granted. And anyway, it worked. By the time he finished his shower and trotted to the bedroom wrapped in a towel to get dressed for dinner, he was feeling much calmer.
He tried very hard not to notice that the tidying up she said took so long, really didn't extend far beyond the living room. He wasn't going to pick another fight. His heart dropped to the pit of his stomach when he herd she wasn't sticking with poker either, but at least her new pursuit seemed to fit their budget. Which is to say cost nothing.
He was getting more and more worried about their finances. Not only was Meg not bringing in any income, but her constant flitting from one decision to another set them back again and again. It wasn't fair, he was too young to already be so behind. He wasn't a bitter person by nature, but resentment was beginning to build up. It made him notice little things he didn't care much about before. Like how little effort she put in around the house.
He turned the water on full heat and stepped in. The day has been exhausting, but most days were. He worked hard, physical labor. His dad and uncles got to go home to clean places, great meals and supportive wives. He... well... she was hot and he loved her. But the rest... He scrubbed his body and head with the simple body wash he used, again trying not to notice the fancier ones she bought for herself. He didn't want to be annoyed at her spending money on herself, but it was hard not to feel a little frustration.
Breathe in. Breathe out. Don't let it get to you. He told himself. They've recently done a simple dry wall patch at a yoga studio, and one of the instructors taught him that as she was shamelessly flirting with him. He didn't encourage her in any way, at least, he thought he didn't. But it was nice to be looked at like that, not taken for granted. And anyway, it worked. By the time he finished his shower and trotted to the bedroom wrapped in a towel to get dressed for dinner, he was feeling much calmer.
Meg listened as Jay talked about his frustrations with the water damage from the burst pipe on the job site. She was relieved that it was nothing he nor the construction company had been responsible for. As Jay headed down the hall to the shower, Meg made her way to the kitchen. Hopefully, her handling the cooking would alleviate some stress for him. It sounded as if Jay had had a rough day.
It was only after Meg opened the fridge that it hit her. "Oh shit! I was supposed to go to the grocery store," she cursed herself aloud. How could she have forgotten? Meg's mind raced. If she ran to the store right now, she could have what she needed hopefully not long after Jay got out of the shower. She could be back in 10 or 20 minutes tops. Maybe she could pick something up from the deli that was already precooked? Griled salmon or rotisserie chicken sounded really good.
Meg scribbled a quick note, left it on the middle of the counter where Jay would be sure to see it, grabbed her purse, and headed to the driveway. A few minutes later, she was pulling into the grocery store parking lot. There was a shopping center near their home. Hopefully, despite it being near dinner time and people just getting off work, the trip would be a quick in and out.
As Meg snatched up a cart, she realized she wished she'd taken the time to make a shopping list. She hoped she didn't forget anything crucial. Meg decided despite the fact that she was in a bit of a hurry that she'd go up and down the aisles. Maybe seeing the individual items would jog her memory as to what she needed.
A few minutes later, Meg was in the self-checkout lane unloading her cart. The total was a little higher than she had expected. Meg was not one to clip coupons. She mentally made a note to start doing so. They could really use the extra savings. When it came time to pay, there was an obnoxious buzz from the machine. Her debit card had been declined.
Oh shit! Was her checking account overdrawn? Meg tried again. The red light on the kiosk was flashing. A young woman came over to assist her.
"Is there a problem," She asked.
"Uh, crap. I think my card is overdrawn," Meg said frantically digging through her purse only to find a couple of dollars. It wasn't nearly enough to cover the balance. She snatched her credit card and tried it. That too, came up declined.
"Shit," she hissed. "Uh, can I move my cart aside for a moment so the next person can go," Meg asked. "I need to check my balance. Is there an ATM?"
The woman nodded and pointed Meg toward the lobby. Meg pulled her cart out of the way to free up the checkout terminal. The employee cleared out her order.
"I'll be right back," she said before rushing over to the machine near the customer service counter. She jammed her card into the slot and entered her pin. "$7.36, are kidding me," Meg said aloud in horror. What the hell had happened to her balance? She thought about the straitjacket she'd just ordered online. There should have been plenty of money in the account but... shit. The bills must have processed. Damn it! Meg cursed herself for not checking the balance online.
Meg pulled out her phone and went to her banking app. There was no signal for internet. "Now what," she groaned. Her eyes got wide. "Oh no. No, no, no, no, no... fuck me! This isn't happening!"
Meg suddenly realized her phone service had been shut off. The payment must not have cleared. How would she explain this to Jay? Frantically, Meg went back to her cart and ran around the store putting items back on shelves.
Almost 45 minutes later, Meg hurried to the front door with a bag of fast-food. She hadn't been able to call because of her phone being shut off. Her tummy was rumbling, but she didn't have enough cash to get herself anything. She'd play it off as she wasn't hungry. Meg took a deep breath before opening the front door, trying to gain her composure.
It was only after Meg opened the fridge that it hit her. "Oh shit! I was supposed to go to the grocery store," she cursed herself aloud. How could she have forgotten? Meg's mind raced. If she ran to the store right now, she could have what she needed hopefully not long after Jay got out of the shower. She could be back in 10 or 20 minutes tops. Maybe she could pick something up from the deli that was already precooked? Griled salmon or rotisserie chicken sounded really good.
Meg scribbled a quick note, left it on the middle of the counter where Jay would be sure to see it, grabbed her purse, and headed to the driveway. A few minutes later, she was pulling into the grocery store parking lot. There was a shopping center near their home. Hopefully, despite it being near dinner time and people just getting off work, the trip would be a quick in and out.
As Meg snatched up a cart, she realized she wished she'd taken the time to make a shopping list. She hoped she didn't forget anything crucial. Meg decided despite the fact that she was in a bit of a hurry that she'd go up and down the aisles. Maybe seeing the individual items would jog her memory as to what she needed.
A few minutes later, Meg was in the self-checkout lane unloading her cart. The total was a little higher than she had expected. Meg was not one to clip coupons. She mentally made a note to start doing so. They could really use the extra savings. When it came time to pay, there was an obnoxious buzz from the machine. Her debit card had been declined.
Oh shit! Was her checking account overdrawn? Meg tried again. The red light on the kiosk was flashing. A young woman came over to assist her.
"Is there a problem," She asked.
"Uh, crap. I think my card is overdrawn," Meg said frantically digging through her purse only to find a couple of dollars. It wasn't nearly enough to cover the balance. She snatched her credit card and tried it. That too, came up declined.
"Shit," she hissed. "Uh, can I move my cart aside for a moment so the next person can go," Meg asked. "I need to check my balance. Is there an ATM?"
The woman nodded and pointed Meg toward the lobby. Meg pulled her cart out of the way to free up the checkout terminal. The employee cleared out her order.
"I'll be right back," she said before rushing over to the machine near the customer service counter. She jammed her card into the slot and entered her pin. "$7.36, are kidding me," Meg said aloud in horror. What the hell had happened to her balance? She thought about the straitjacket she'd just ordered online. There should have been plenty of money in the account but... shit. The bills must have processed. Damn it! Meg cursed herself for not checking the balance online.
Meg pulled out her phone and went to her banking app. There was no signal for internet. "Now what," she groaned. Her eyes got wide. "Oh no. No, no, no, no, no... fuck me! This isn't happening!"
Meg suddenly realized her phone service had been shut off. The payment must not have cleared. How would she explain this to Jay? Frantically, Meg went back to her cart and ran around the store putting items back on shelves.
Almost 45 minutes later, Meg hurried to the front door with a bag of fast-food. She hadn't been able to call because of her phone being shut off. Her tummy was rumbling, but she didn't have enough cash to get herself anything. She'd play it off as she wasn't hungry. Meg took a deep breath before opening the front door, trying to gain her composure.
He dressed in sweatpants and a t-shirt, thinking he might want to go jogging later. He hadn't told her he canceled his gym membership to save on cost. He excused it to himself saying eh was getting plenty of exercise at his job and he could run outside for free.
"What'd you make, babe?" he asked as he went into the kitchen. "Babe?"
She wasn't there. Wasn't in the living room or right outside either. What the hell? He tried calling her, but kept getting an automated answer saying the call cannot be connected at this time. He stopped and talked his panic down. The door was locked. There were no signs of forced entry or of violence. Nothing happened. She just went somewhere without telling me. It's so like Meg... Thinking of things that are 'like Meg', it occurred to him then to check the fridge. Basically empty. She must have gone grocery shopping, not having done it earlier like she was supposed to. Like she said she would.
He spent the next thirty minutes alternating between pissed off and super worried. By the time she came he was high strung.
"What the fuck, Megan?" he asked when the front door opened and his beautiful, irresponsible wife came in with a bag of fast food.
"What'd you make, babe?" he asked as he went into the kitchen. "Babe?"
She wasn't there. Wasn't in the living room or right outside either. What the hell? He tried calling her, but kept getting an automated answer saying the call cannot be connected at this time. He stopped and talked his panic down. The door was locked. There were no signs of forced entry or of violence. Nothing happened. She just went somewhere without telling me. It's so like Meg... Thinking of things that are 'like Meg', it occurred to him then to check the fridge. Basically empty. She must have gone grocery shopping, not having done it earlier like she was supposed to. Like she said she would.
He spent the next thirty minutes alternating between pissed off and super worried. By the time she came he was high strung.
"What the fuck, Megan?" he asked when the front door opened and his beautiful, irresponsible wife came in with a bag of fast food.
Meg braced herself. How the hell was she going to explain this? She'd failed spectacularly. As she came through the door, her heart sank. Jay was waiting for her and she could tell by the look on his face he was pissed.
"What the fuck, Megan?" he asked when the front door opened and his beautiful, irresponsible wife came in with a bag of fast food.
"Look, I... Okay, I fucked up and I'm sorry. Long story," she apologized. "I got you some McDonald's." She offered him the bag and frantically tried to figure out how she was going to explain her phone getting shut off and not having any money for groceries. Maybe she wouldn't have to tell him everything, at least right now. Meg decided to hold off on volunteering any information Jay didn't ask for.
Meg swallowed hard and waited for him to take the bag. She had a Coke in her other hand.
"What the fuck, Megan?" he asked when the front door opened and his beautiful, irresponsible wife came in with a bag of fast food.
"Look, I... Okay, I fucked up and I'm sorry. Long story," she apologized. "I got you some McDonald's." She offered him the bag and frantically tried to figure out how she was going to explain her phone getting shut off and not having any money for groceries. Maybe she wouldn't have to tell him everything, at least right now. Meg decided to hold off on volunteering any information Jay didn't ask for.
Meg swallowed hard and waited for him to take the bag. She had a Coke in her other hand.
Jay took the offered bag, but held it in his hands as he glared at her. He didn't want to fight, he was too tired. But this... this wasn't what he wanted. Not the way this evening was supposed to go. He'd been so happy when he went upstairs. Her offering to cook, her new hobby not costing money. Those two things told him maybe he was thinking too harshly of her. And now this...
"Let me guess" he said, and did his best to speak normally and not sound cynical or cruel. "You forgot to go grocery shopping like you promised?" he didn't imagine they'd run out of money, so the only explanation he could think of for the MacDonald's was a lot more innocent "so you left to do it now and the line was too long so you came back with this?" he tilted the bag toward her.
Peering inside for the first time, he saw it held food enough for one. "What the hell? You ate yours on the way? You couldn't even wait for us to eat together? Real nice, Meg..." He shook his head, disappointed and hurt. "What, you want to practice your new career choice some more?"
"Let me guess" he said, and did his best to speak normally and not sound cynical or cruel. "You forgot to go grocery shopping like you promised?" he didn't imagine they'd run out of money, so the only explanation he could think of for the MacDonald's was a lot more innocent "so you left to do it now and the line was too long so you came back with this?" he tilted the bag toward her.
Peering inside for the first time, he saw it held food enough for one. "What the hell? You ate yours on the way? You couldn't even wait for us to eat together? Real nice, Meg..." He shook his head, disappointed and hurt. "What, you want to practice your new career choice some more?"
Meg handed Jay the bag. He accepted it but didn't even look at its content. He just stared at her with a cold, judging gaze. Meg knew she'd fucked up. She tried to remain composed as she braced for another fight. Her mind raced.
"Let me guess" he said, and did his best to speak normally and not sound cynical or cruel. "You forgot to go grocery shopping like you promised?" he didn't imagine they'd run out of money, so the only explanation he could think of for the MacDonald's was a lot more innocent "so you left to do it now and the line was too long so you came back with this?" he tilted the bag toward her.
Meg swallowed and lowered her eyes. She stared at the floor as she nodded. If she spoke at that moment, she knew her voice would crack and she'd probably burst into tears. Right now, Meg felt like complete shit. She'd let Jay down... again. He had every right to be angry and she knew it.
Peering inside for the first time, he saw it held food enough for one. "What the hell? You ate yours on the way? You couldn't even wait for us to eat together? Real nice, Meg..." He shook his head, disappointed and hurt.
"What? No! It's not like that," she suddenly said caught off guard from Jay's accusation. She paused, thinking of what to say and trying hard not to break down. "I... I... didn't get myself anything."
She was about to justify the reason but stopped. Right now, Meg prayed Jay wouldn't dig any deeper. What could she say about why she hadn't gotten herself food as well? She didn't want to admit her bank account was empty.
"I... I wasn't hungry," she stammered, as she betrayed herself in keeping quiet. Meg had just sort of blurted out a justification using the first thing that had come to her. Now that she'd said that, Meg felt the need to elaborate and justify why she'd not ordered food for herself.
"What, you want to practice your new career choice some more?"
That last part stung. How would she explain today to him? Sorry hon, I was out at Sara's all day tied to a chair! I'm going to be an escape artist, but like everything else I try, I really suck at it! I couldn't move a muscle and sat there like an idiot until I gave up like I always do... Don't worry, though. It's just another of my phases. I'll be on to something else next week that is hopefully less weird...
"You're right. I got distracted today," Meg confessed. "I'm a failure... I suck. I don't deserve you... I can't seem to do anything right. I can't commit to anything. I can't even do something as simple as getting the fucking groceries..."
Meg realized that she was now coming across as the victim. That was not at all what she was trying to do. But once again, it felt like some unseen force was taking control. The last part sounded almost like she was blaming him for her incompetence.
"Let me guess" he said, and did his best to speak normally and not sound cynical or cruel. "You forgot to go grocery shopping like you promised?" he didn't imagine they'd run out of money, so the only explanation he could think of for the MacDonald's was a lot more innocent "so you left to do it now and the line was too long so you came back with this?" he tilted the bag toward her.
Meg swallowed and lowered her eyes. She stared at the floor as she nodded. If she spoke at that moment, she knew her voice would crack and she'd probably burst into tears. Right now, Meg felt like complete shit. She'd let Jay down... again. He had every right to be angry and she knew it.
Peering inside for the first time, he saw it held food enough for one. "What the hell? You ate yours on the way? You couldn't even wait for us to eat together? Real nice, Meg..." He shook his head, disappointed and hurt.
"What? No! It's not like that," she suddenly said caught off guard from Jay's accusation. She paused, thinking of what to say and trying hard not to break down. "I... I... didn't get myself anything."
She was about to justify the reason but stopped. Right now, Meg prayed Jay wouldn't dig any deeper. What could she say about why she hadn't gotten herself food as well? She didn't want to admit her bank account was empty.
"I... I wasn't hungry," she stammered, as she betrayed herself in keeping quiet. Meg had just sort of blurted out a justification using the first thing that had come to her. Now that she'd said that, Meg felt the need to elaborate and justify why she'd not ordered food for herself.
"What, you want to practice your new career choice some more?"
That last part stung. How would she explain today to him? Sorry hon, I was out at Sara's all day tied to a chair! I'm going to be an escape artist, but like everything else I try, I really suck at it! I couldn't move a muscle and sat there like an idiot until I gave up like I always do... Don't worry, though. It's just another of my phases. I'll be on to something else next week that is hopefully less weird...
"You're right. I got distracted today," Meg confessed. "I'm a failure... I suck. I don't deserve you... I can't seem to do anything right. I can't commit to anything. I can't even do something as simple as getting the fucking groceries..."
Meg realized that she was now coming across as the victim. That was not at all what she was trying to do. But once again, it felt like some unseen force was taking control. The last part sounded almost like she was blaming him for her incompetence.
"I'm a failure... I suck. I don't deserve you... I can't seem to do anything right. I can't commit to anything. I can't even do something as simple as getting the fucking groceries..."
It was a thing she did, and not for the first time. Even though he hated it, even though he knew it was unfair and manipulative, it still worked on Jordan every time. He was angry, legitimately so. She lied, and even it if wasn’t outright and intentional deception, she was at least being untruthful and selfish.
And still, she was the woman he loved. He couldn’t let her say those things and do nothing.
“You’re not a failure, Meg” he said, clenching his teeth. “Don’t say shit like that. It’s not true. You just… you need to focus, baby. You need to…” grow up was what he wanted to say, but he chose something else instead “plan ahead. Babe… I know this isn’t what you dreamed about. But this is real life, we have to make it work, somehow”.
He sighed, his anger gone and instead he only felt tired. “Come on, lets split it”. He took the bag to the kitchen table and pulled out it’s content. He wasn’t as hungry all of the sudden. “Remember Debbie’s sweet sixteen?” he asked, eager for a change of subject. “Her parents didn’t buy enough food or the party, so we all headed for MacDonald’s. Then you and I bailed on them and went to eat on that broken bench?”
By the time they went to bed, they were them again. But Jordan fell asleep worrying how many more recoveries like these their marriage could take.
It was a thing she did, and not for the first time. Even though he hated it, even though he knew it was unfair and manipulative, it still worked on Jordan every time. He was angry, legitimately so. She lied, and even it if wasn’t outright and intentional deception, she was at least being untruthful and selfish.
And still, she was the woman he loved. He couldn’t let her say those things and do nothing.
“You’re not a failure, Meg” he said, clenching his teeth. “Don’t say shit like that. It’s not true. You just… you need to focus, baby. You need to…” grow up was what he wanted to say, but he chose something else instead “plan ahead. Babe… I know this isn’t what you dreamed about. But this is real life, we have to make it work, somehow”.
He sighed, his anger gone and instead he only felt tired. “Come on, lets split it”. He took the bag to the kitchen table and pulled out it’s content. He wasn’t as hungry all of the sudden. “Remember Debbie’s sweet sixteen?” he asked, eager for a change of subject. “Her parents didn’t buy enough food or the party, so we all headed for MacDonald’s. Then you and I bailed on them and went to eat on that broken bench?”
By the time they went to bed, they were them again. But Jordan fell asleep worrying how many more recoveries like these their marriage could take.
“You’re not a failure, Meg” he said, clenching his teeth. “Don’t say shit like that. It’s not true. You just… you need to focus, baby. You need to…” grow up was what he wanted to say, but he chose something else instead “plan ahead. Babe… I know this isn’t what you dreamed about. But this is real life, we have to make it work, somehow”.
Meg nodded. It was just like Jay to diffuse things. Still, she felt like shit. At the same time, she also felt... resentful. Did she have a right to feel that way? They had been high school sweethearts. Sure, she had her head in the clouds, was terrible with sticking with things, with money, and being a housekeeper... okay, she flat out didn't have her shit in one pile. But... she wasn't meant for this. He knew her dreams when he kneeled down that day and offered her the ring, offered to take care of her, to grow old together... to spend their lives together... Meg suddenly snapped out of.
He sighed, his anger gone and instead he only felt tired. “Come on, lets split it”. He took the bag to the kitchen table and pulled out it’s content. He wasn’t as hungry all of the sudden.
"You sure babe," Meg asked. "That's not enough food for you..."
“Remember Debbie’s sweet sixteen?” he asked, eager for a change of subject. “Her parents didn’t buy enough food for the party, so we all headed for MacDonald’s. Then you and I bailed on them and went to eat on that broken bench?”
Meg reluctantly took some fries. She should be starved, but her stomach was tied up in knots. She'd dodged another bullet, but how long could they keep living like this. How long could she keep living this lie? Yet, Jay was so good to her and she didn't deserve it.
"Yeah," Meg laughed as she ate one of the fries. "That seems like just yesterday." She forced a laugh. "I ripped my jeans on that broken board when I stood up. Oh my God!"
She rolled her eyes as they began recalling that day so many years earlier. Life was simple then, no bills, car or house payments, and the future was a blank slate...
Later that night, things felt like they should... on the surface at least. Meg couldn't sleep though. She lied in the bed next to him, her thoughts returning to earlier, right before he offered to split his hamburger and fries...
He was good to her. She loved him. He sacrificed so much... and yet... Meg wasn't happy. This life wasn't working for her. She'd never be able to be the good little housewife, nor would she ever be able to be happy waiting tables or working at some office. Meg couldn't let go of the dream and Jordan wasn't fitting into the picture there...
Meg nodded. It was just like Jay to diffuse things. Still, she felt like shit. At the same time, she also felt... resentful. Did she have a right to feel that way? They had been high school sweethearts. Sure, she had her head in the clouds, was terrible with sticking with things, with money, and being a housekeeper... okay, she flat out didn't have her shit in one pile. But... she wasn't meant for this. He knew her dreams when he kneeled down that day and offered her the ring, offered to take care of her, to grow old together... to spend their lives together... Meg suddenly snapped out of.
He sighed, his anger gone and instead he only felt tired. “Come on, lets split it”. He took the bag to the kitchen table and pulled out it’s content. He wasn’t as hungry all of the sudden.
"You sure babe," Meg asked. "That's not enough food for you..."
“Remember Debbie’s sweet sixteen?” he asked, eager for a change of subject. “Her parents didn’t buy enough food for the party, so we all headed for MacDonald’s. Then you and I bailed on them and went to eat on that broken bench?”
Meg reluctantly took some fries. She should be starved, but her stomach was tied up in knots. She'd dodged another bullet, but how long could they keep living like this. How long could she keep living this lie? Yet, Jay was so good to her and she didn't deserve it.
"Yeah," Meg laughed as she ate one of the fries. "That seems like just yesterday." She forced a laugh. "I ripped my jeans on that broken board when I stood up. Oh my God!"
She rolled her eyes as they began recalling that day so many years earlier. Life was simple then, no bills, car or house payments, and the future was a blank slate...
Later that night, things felt like they should... on the surface at least. Meg couldn't sleep though. She lied in the bed next to him, her thoughts returning to earlier, right before he offered to split his hamburger and fries...
He was good to her. She loved him. He sacrificed so much... and yet... Meg wasn't happy. This life wasn't working for her. She'd never be able to be the good little housewife, nor would she ever be able to be happy waiting tables or working at some office. Meg couldn't let go of the dream and Jordan wasn't fitting into the picture there...
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