Randy, her husband of 12 years, was a cheat. This time with a baby-faced floozie from a hotel. While that was bad enough, their last time was in Charlotte’s own bed. She came back to a crisply made bed with tight hospital corners. Like Randy would even know what hospital corners were. In a defiant act to her upbringing, she refused to make hospital corners on her bed.
Her overnight conference wasn’t that far away and not that interesting. However, the ice sculpture centerpiece to chip away at for mixed drinks was a festive touch. She felt a little more festive when she pocketed one of the icepicks.
The darkness of the late-night drive from the conference to her home was somehow reassuring. Quick, quiet, she was unobserved.
Finally, the intruder car left her driveway. The nosy neighbors that called her in the past would surely notice the intruder car again. Randy would be sound asleep and dead to the world in less than 15 minutes.
After 15 minutes, Charlotte rose from the park bench and walked across the street and into her house. Soon after, she left. Quick, quiet, she was unobserved.
Something about an icepick sticking out of Randy’s ear spoke of finality. Who even has an icepick anymore?
The wind died as she crossed the park to her car. Perhaps the conference would improve.