Misunderstanding (Nov 21)

Bianca watched George go. A part of her wanted to chase after him, but she saw the look in his eyes. The look of confusion and distrust and anger. 

It wasn’t worth it. 

Instead Bianca finished her dinner, George’s half-filled plate mocking her from the empty seat. 

Later that night, when the house was quiet, Bianca felt the need to escape. Whenever they all got together the desire to be alone snuck up on her. Being an only child and living alone most of her adult life had trained her to love solitude and silence. 

She quietly twisted the knob of the room she shared with Amber. A squeak made her freeze, but Amber kept sleeping. Bianca slipped out of the room and padded barefoot down the stairs, through the living room, beyond the kitchen, and silently out the back door. 

With the door closed quietly behind her, Bianca stepped out into the cool grass. The dampness chilled her feet, but she didn’t care. She headed straight for the swing set that she knew was older than she was. 

Bianca closed her eyes as she kicked her feet, letting the soft squeak of the old swing soothe her. She forgot about George, she forgot about her break up, she even forgot about her job and family. It was just her and the swing, like it had been so many times before. 

Something stirred in the moonlight, pulling Bianca from her cocoon of solitude. Her eyes snapped open and she saw a figure watching her in the darkness. He moved closer, making Bianca’s heart rate kick up. 

Then he said, “Is this seat taken?” 

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