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Leonard, by Phyllis Souza

19/3/2021

 
Like every other weekend, Leonard slept, ate, and watched television with Virginia.

Seven o'clock on Sunday night, he got ready to leave her flat. He put on his suit coat, straightened his tie, and ran his hand through his straight black hair.

Virginia counted out money and gazed into his sky-blue eyes.
"Take it. I want to help."

"Thank you. I really appreciate it.” He took out his wallet and slid in the bills.

"How much longer to get your divorce?"

"Going back to court this week."

"I hope it's not thrown out for some technical reason, again."

"Virginia, you know how judges can be."

"It's just— you know how much I adore you and want to get married." Virginia threw her arms around Leonard's neck. They kissed.

"Be patient."

"It's been five years."

Virginia drove Leonard to the airport so he could catch a flight to Las Vegas.

Leonard liked to brag about his public relations job at the Mint Casino, which impressed Virginia.

She dropped him at the curb in front of the terminal. Then drove home to wait for his telephone call. Leonard always wanted to make sure she was at her apartment.

As soon as she opened the door, the phone rang.

Virginia dropped her soft leather handbag and keys on the kitchen table and ran to answer it.

"Hello."

"Good. You're home."

"Yes, sweetheart. Safe and sound."

"I already miss you."

"Me too."

"See you on Friday."

"Of course."

"Gotta go catch a plane. Love you."

"I love you, too."

"Good-bye."

A soft, "-bye."

With airplanes droning in the background, Leonard swaggered out of the airport. He lit a cigarette, proceeded to the parking lot, got into his car and hastened across town to go home to his wife.
Jim link
19/3/2021 03:25:25 pm

Oh, my. This is really good.
The lengths one will go to, and the way some hang on to false hope (or deceptive hope in this case).
Nicely done, Phyllis
Jim

phyllis souza
19/3/2021 03:48:01 pm

Glad you like it! phyllis

Peggy Gerber
19/3/2021 10:59:57 pm

I don’t know who to feel worse for, Virginia or the wife. Either way, Leonard is a jerk

phyllis souza
19/3/2021 11:16:34 pm

Leonard, worse than a jerk. Virginia didn't want see, what she already knew. Thanks for your comment. phyllis

Mary Wallace
20/3/2021 11:53:44 pm

Leonard is a jerk. Virginia is a silly fool and the wife is lucky to get every weekend away from her cheating husband. Nice one Phyllis.

phyllis souza
21/3/2021 12:01:24 am

Ah, the world is full of jerks and silly fools. Thanks Mary for commenting. phyllis

Sue Clayton
21/3/2021 04:58:42 am

Virginia's either extremely naïve or just plain desperate to keep hold of cheating Leonard. I guess there are many women willing to bury their heads in the sand in the name of love; wonder if his wife is one too.

phyllis souza
21/3/2021 03:14:55 pm

Sue, Tell me... should I could I continue on with this story? Ten more years of deceit.... then? phyllis

Check out Mama (100 word story) that is where it began.

Mary Daurio
21/3/2021 07:04:02 pm

Phyllis, this was great. What a royal dog and I see what you asked Sue above and I think you should and you could. He is crafty and she loves him so, but I'd like to see him get his comeuppance. It may not turn out that way but readers would enjoy it regardless. The airport is genius.

phyllis souza
21/3/2021 07:15:44 pm

Thanks Mary. I will continue on with story. Glad you like it. phyllis

Candace Arthuria Williams
21/3/2021 08:39:40 pm

I knew it. The bum. Like everybody else, I'm waiting to see him get his.

phyllis souza
21/3/2021 09:42:24 pm

Candace, Don't worry he will.

Sue Clayton
22/3/2021 01:46:19 am

Go for it Phyllis.

phyllis souza
22/3/2021 02:28:01 am

I will, but it won't be a weekly thing. Takes time to think.. what's next.


Comments are closed.

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    Friday Flash Fiction is primarily a site for stories of 100 words or fewer, and our authors are expected to take on that challenge if they possibly can. Most stories of under 150 words can be trimmed and we do not accept submissions of 101-150 words.


    However, in response to demand, the FFF team constructed this forum for significantly longer stories of 151-500 words. Please send submissions for these using the Submissions Page.

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    One little further note. Posting and publishing 500-word stories takes a little time if they need to be formatted, too.
    ​Please note that we tend to post longer flash fiction exactly as we find it – wrong spacing, everything.

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