Confession

A dying woman makes a confession to her husband, on her deathbed.

George raised his head and looked at the window as the rain started tapping on the window pane. He’d always liked the soothing sound of rain on the windows and roof. He shifted in his seat and winced when the chair creaked. He looked at the hospital bed where his wife slept. His eyes misted over. Tubes were snaking out of various parts of her body and were attached to machines and IVs. He couldn’t come to grips with the idea that life could continue without her but the Doctor’s verdict dashed any hopes he might have had. Not much longer now. She was soon going to a better place where, he hoped, she would be waiting for him.

Images of her younger self flooded his mind. Happier times. Emily running on the wet sand of the deserted beach where they went swimming and him chasing her. Her laughter was music to his ears. Emily blowing on the twenty-five candles on her birthday cake, her eyes shining and his heart bursting with love. The trip they took to Tunisia long before all the madness gripped the world.

Emily moaned and George jumped up and bent over her. She was only dreaming. Her breathing was regular. He looked at her face and saw her as she had always looked to him. The stunning beauty who captured his heart, not the withering eighty-year-old woman whose skin looked like old parchment.

George sighed and sat back down. He started when he heard a sudden ripping sound. He looked at his wife and frowned, puzzled. Then the smell hit him.

“Oh, honey..” he said softly and got wearily back to his feet. He opened the window a crack. “Gee!” he whispered, “whatever they put in that IV, darling?”

Emily stirred and George was by her side in an instant.

“George,” she croaked, an indication she was about to croak.

“I’m here, Honey,” he answered.

“Not much time left, I’m afraid.”

“Why? Where’re you going?” he teased.

“Silly man. But it was good while it lasted, wasn’t it?”

“Better than good, Sweetheart. You gave life a meaning. You made me the happiest man on earth and I love you so much for that.”

“Listen, I need to tell you something before it’s too late.”

“What is it, honey?”

“We’ve been together for forty-five years, haven’t we?”

“And six months and twelve days.”

A tear run down her face. George tried to wipe it off with his thumb but it got lost in the wrinkles of her face.

“God, how I love you, George! Anyway, this is what I wanted to say. I can’t leave you without telling you the only secret I’ve kept from you for forty-five years.”

“Yes,” said George with some trepidation.

“Remove my necklace, will you? See, that small key is not really a lucky charm. It opens the trunk I asked you to bring from home. Pull it out from under the bed, please.”

George could hardly contain his puzzlement. He gingerly removed the key from his wife’s neck then stooped and dragged the heavy trunk from under the bed.

“Go on, open it!”

George had trouble turning the small key in the lock but finally managed to open the trunk. He slowly lifted the lid.

His jaw dropped when he saw what was inside. Well, not literally, of course. Imagine every time you are surprised, your jaw drops like in those cartoons. Actually, a friend of mine is a cartoon character. The things he does with his face and body, amazing! And come to think of it, I wonder where this expression, “his jaw dropped”, came from. Was it taken from a cartoon or was it the other way round? It’s like wh.. oh God, there I go again, and you’re probably curious about what George found in the trunk. Tsk tsk. Incorrigible! My wife always tells me: Focus, Woody, focus. I hate it when you go on a tangent.”  But you know women, all they do is nag, nag, nag. Anyway, where was I? Ah, yes. His jaw dropped figuratively.

Inside the trunk, were stacks upon stacks of wads of Dollar bills. Washingtons, Jeffersons, Lincolns, Hamiltons, Grants… There must’ve been thousands. A real treasure trove.

When George could finally speak, he asked: “where does all this money come from, Honey? Tell me you didn’t steal it, Em.”

Emily laughed weakly. “Don’t be silly, George. that’s my goodbye present for you, Honey. For the joy you gave me all along the years, in bed and out of it.”

George’s eyes watered again then he saw three round objects wedged among the bills. He wiped his eyes with the back of his hand and bent over.

He picked one up. It looked like a goose’s egg!

“Em, what are these eggs?”

“Oh that’s the second part of the surprise, Honey. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me, George.”

“Forgive you what?” asked George, more than intrigued.

“Well,” started Emily weakly, “I’m not proud to say that I haven’t always been faithful to you, Honey. Every time I cheated on you I put an egg in the trunk to remind me of my evil deed. I’m so sorry, George.”

George was stunned. He sat on his haunches, not believing what he’d just heard.

“Please don’t be sad, Honey” said Emily, “It’s all in the past anyway.”

George was reeling from the revelation.

“I suppose three times is not dramatic during the course of forty-five years of marriage. Ehm.. and where does the money come from?”

“Oh, that’s from the eggs I sold, Darling.”

Author's Note

whenever work keeps me away from the site, I find it very hard to come back. my muse seems to be punishing me for staying away for so long. I didn't do any editing so I don't know how good it is. your feedback will be much appreciated, as always.

Reviews

[Jacob Clifford]

Ah, Woody, you son of a gun, you. I almost spit out my drink when I read that last line!

The whole story was engaging and held my attention. The sad parts were well-written, and the funny parts were too. I always love your breaking-the-fourth-wall moment in your stories. In this story, it was talking about jaws dropping. Many people try similar things with minimal, but you seem very adept at it.

[Woody]

thanks a ton Clifford. as always you make my day by your reviews. I'm glad you had as much fun reading this one as I had writing it.

[Vidya Bacchus]

Omg u had me laughing so loud sir woody.I have missed your particular brand of humor. Great job old friend.

[Woody]

and I have missed your writes and your reviews, Dear. thank you for dropping in. it's always great to make you laugh.

[Vidya Bacchus]

You are welcome Woody.I have missed you :)

[LastMonth]

LOL
Sorry. Sorry, I promised I'll stop with the Lol but I couldn't resist it.
Man you are just flawless!

Seriously, that bit when you started straying from the topic and talked about cartoons being slack jawed, it was freaking hilarious. You not only give character to your characters, but to the writer as well. I mean, seriously this is amazing.

I really enjoy your stories.
I really see them working well as Skits in a show, you're talented as hell.

It's like,
You take simple jokes, but you turn them into stories. I'm not sure how else to describe it. This could be told in one paragraph with 7 lines.
An old woman and man sat on her deathbed, they cry together and she tells him she has a secret chest and yada yada yada. You get the point. It could be really short, but somehow you turn it into a one page shortie--

And it does not feel forced. That's your greatness mate.

[Woody]

Matan my friend, your reviews always make my evenings. you keep showering me with praise and I only hope I deservr it. thank you very much foor your kind words. as always it's a pleasure to know you enjoyed the story :)

[Troy Henson]

Every time I read a piece of yours my smile grows often finishing in laughter. The way you write is infectious Woody and once again you've showed your personality with this outstanding write.

Welcome back!

[Woody]

thanks loads Troy. I guess I'm definitely back. I hope those lovely princesses are doing fine.
glad you enjoyed this one.

[Troy Henson]

They are indeed Woody....my boy started high school yesterday. Time for a photo upgrade i think :)read moreThey are indeed Woody....my boy started high school yesterday. Time for a photo upgrade i think :)

Take care

[Woody]

ah you've got 3 like me. perfect number :)

[Elise Anton]

“George,” she croaked, an indication she was about to croak."
That line dit it for me. Intentional or not, it is humour of the kind I love.
Almost could be a line from a poem ;)

[Woody]

haha I can assure you that all the clowning is intentional.
thank you dear. I'm elated you liked it.

[Great Aunt Astri]

Well, all that cheating probably made her able to love her husband more. OOPS I shouldn't say that! But it did make a good story.

[Woody]

I'm sure she loves him dearly and I suspect he has one or two secrets of his own.
thank you very much for stopping by Aunty.

[Nadia Gerassimenko]

Bahahahaha...you and your endings! 3 eggs would have been forgivable...but all those eggs sold and money made with them...that's a heart attack!

[Woody]

haha at least she came clean, let's give her that. thanks a bunch Nadia :)

[Moonie]

Been reading your stories on my WC return trips...I read this one long ago..thought I should comment now.. I always enjoy your stories, Woody, what can I say...you are a genius...you can take some one liner or a random joke and turn it into a humor laden story! :)))
I always enjoy your vivid descriptions and your perfect punctuation! Cheers!!!:))))

[Woody]

you're too kind Moon, thanks. now, see what you've done? you made me blush!
sorry about the late reply. this is the longest I've been away from the site.

[Moonie]

You're most welcome! I've been away for too long as well!

[Bec]

Interesting ending, I like how i can never predict anything you write Woody always keeps me in suspense from start to finish!!!

[Woody]

thanks a lot Bec :) so glad you liked this one. yes I enjoy misleading my readers. what can I say? I have a naughty streak, I guess :)