The Longest Minute

Christine, the mother of three girls, is about to embark on a measure of time that will change her family's life forever.

Christine balanced her nine month old daughter on her hip as she mashed potatoes with her free hand.  A little more milk and butter should finish the job.  She sat Michelle down in her high chair and gave her a toy. The baby banged on the table hollering and laughing.  Her Mother made a funny face and they both giggled.

 "Kathy, Rene dinner is ready."  Kathy closed her book and put her homework in her backpack.  She rose from the sofa and seated herself at the table.  Rene flopped down in the chair next to her.  Kathy rolled her eyes.  "Why do you always have to sit on top of me?"  "I can sit wherever I want, can't I Mom?"   "That's enough girls.  I mean it. Can't you two stop bickering long enough to eat?"  Kathy rolled her eyes at heryounger sister.  It seemed to be her new thing lately.  Eleven seemed so immature to a thirteen year old sophisticate.  Christine stared at her daughters.  Kathy was quite beautiful with brown almond eyes and dark hair.  She looked almost regal with her long dark hair fanning her shoulders like a cape.  She was a straight A student.   Capable and competent she was a great help to her mother.  Her father Ray worked constantly and left family mechanics and child rearing squarely on his wife’s shoulders. The truth of the matter was Christine depended on her daughter far more than she would ever admit.  She often thought of her as an old soul, wise beyond her years.  Rene was a typical eleven yearold.  She was the family performer. Whenever they went to the mall she would dance for all the shoppers.  Sometimes, to her mother’s chagrin, they would give her money.  She was a happy go lucky child and fun to be around. She loved her baby sister and reveled in her new role as the big sister. Bang bang a fork clanged . Turquoise eyes flashed across the table.  “Mom, I’m hungry”  “What else is new?  Laughing, Christine  passed the food to her daughter.  Glancing around the table she couldn't help but think how lucky she was her heart swelling with love.

They all heard the key in the door.  Even the baby put her bowl down and stared when the door opened.  “Hi Dad. Sorry I didn’t save you much dinner.  Mashed potatoes are my favorite, sorry.”   “That’s fine Rene I’m not that hungry.”   Rene got up and started to clear the table while Christine set a place for Ray.  Kathy was busy wiping the baby’s face and cleaning all the bits of food that she smeared everywhere.  Christine got up to take the baby.  “I got it Mom.”  She took the baby into the living room and turned on the television.  Soon they were all laughing to the Cosby show with Michele jumping in her bouncy seat.

Alone in the dining room Christine  touched her husband’s arm.  He flinched like he was struck by lightning.  “Tired?” she murmured.  He turned and looked away.  “What is it?   What’s wrong?”   “I need you to go somewhere with me tonight.”  “Where?”  she asked puzzled.  “To a Doctor’s office.”   “Why?”  “I have something to tell you. ” His voice shook.  Oh my lord she thought. He must be sick or maybe dying. He works around the clock and is never able to relax. I know its affecting his health.  What will we do without him.  What will I do without him.   Her heart began to pound and the room blurred.  “What time”, she managed to ask.   “Seven” he replied as he loosened his tie . Nervously she looked at her watch.  It was six o’clock. “How far is it” she whispered.  “Half hour drive”  he whispered back. 

She went to the bedroom and changed into jeans and a sweater.  She stared at the green eyes staring back at her in the bathroom mirror.   Wiping her tears, she brushed her long hair back.  “Stop it” she said out loud.   Hands shaking she put on her makeup and eyeliner refusing to let  tears color her face with black trails.  She would not allow herself to break down, not now when she had no idea what seven o’clock would bring.

Ray was waiting at the door with his coat on and keys in hand.   He looked like he had been waiting for hours. They drove in silence. Ray was  silent and brooding.  Christine was nervous and dreading.  They entered the office. It was a psychologist’ s office.  No one was there.  No staff, only a closed door with light peeking  through the crack beneath the door.  Ray knocked and   Doctor  McGaritty emerged. She heard him say, “This is your wife?”  Was it her imagination that he seemed so surprised?   He motioned them inside his inner office.   My pleasure Christine” he said softly.  She took his hand and seated herself next to Ray on the sofa.  “I can see your confusion Christine.   Ray came to me because he needs to tell you a few things.”  His voice sounded  sad . It seemed like he felt sorry for her but there also was an edge about him.  She did not understand it but it definitely was there under the surface.   She could feel hostility in the air.  “Ray” he prodded.   Ray held his head in his hands and moaned.  “I can’t do this.  I can’t”  “I arranged this appointment at your request Ray.  This is what you wanted. You need to do this now.”   Christine sat nervously playing with her wedding ring.  She felt like she was living a nightmare.  She checked her watch.  It was 7:10.  All she could hear was Ray crying and the doctor’s soft  voice.  Ray cleared his throat.  He was studying  something invisible across the room.   The air was bathed in silence and then a revelation.  “Chrissie I have a mistress and two sons.”   Suddenly she  felt like she was under water. There was no air in the room.  Her head was swimming and  she couldn’t breathe.   She slapped his face ,grabbed  her purse, and  ran outside.  Leaning against the building she gasped for air and her life.  It was all a lie.  All those years of going without, raising her children alone were for nothing.  All at once three beautiful faces invaded her mind. Slowly she came back to reality with the realization that her daughters  were worth more than their father could ever do wrong in the world.   Wiping her tears she felt something scratch her neck.  It was her watch.  It was 7:11. Only one minute had gone by.  Unbelieveable! Amazing how just one minute could change your life forever.  Deliberately she took a deep breath and then she laughed.  She laughed again and again harder and harder and she knew they would  get through this.  She would grieve the end of her marriage much later.  The doctor was standing there.  “Are you alright?" he asked, puzzled at her demeanor.  “This was the longest minute I’ve ever known in my life Doctor.”  she replied in a clear voice.

 

Author's Note

I haven't written in years. Please forgive grammar and dialogue is a little rusty to say the least but I enjoyed myself hope you did too!

Reviews

[Goat]

I like this story, it has great emotion and tells a wonderful story. It has meaning in it and a lesson as well.

[Marie]

Your grammar is good. Your punctuation is not. But the story is good enough for mt ot overlook that. I think you've told the story to its end.

[Desiree B.]

Nice set up! Have you thought about going further with this story? I think with a little polish it could turn it out pretty good.

[dizzychrissie]

Thank you for your kind words. It's encouraging!

[Desiree B.]

No problem. :)