So, for my creative writing class, I had to write a short story. It's a lot shorter than I expected, but whatever. Here it is, I'm posting this before I even read it to my class. Let me know what you think.
Alice sat down in her favorite chair, breathing a sigh of relief. Everything went so well.
The table was set, the candles were lit, and Vivaldi was playing quietly in the background. Dinner was just about ready; London broil, mashed potatoes with roasted garlic and goat cheese, and steamed green beans; his favorite. She even went through the trouble of putting the wine into a decanter. It was a 1995 Cabernet Sauvignon, the one she had been saving for just such an occasion. That was the easy part.
Anxious for Mark to come home from work,
Alice kept peering out the window. Just as she saw his car pulling up the drive-way, she untied her aprons strings and ran to the front door. As soon as he came in, she gave him a big hug and a kiss on the lips.
“What’s that for?” he asked bewildered.
“Oh, nothing. It’s just that I love you.” She replied. “Come into the dining room, I have something for you.”
Mark was in awe of the feast set before him. The smell of dinner cooked to perfection made his mouth water in anticipation. As they sat down and began to eat, he wondered why his wife went through all the trouble to make his favorite meal. He knew it wasn’t their anniversary; that was one thing he prided himself on, knowing all the important dates.
“Where’d you get this recipe for the London Broil? It’s perfect.”
"You should recognize it; it’s your mother’s. I called her today.”
“You called my mother?” Mark asked with a mouth half full of food. “But I thought you hated her.”
“Whatever gave you that impression?”
Alice asked innocently.
“I dunno it just seems like you don’t get along with her.”
“Don’t be so ignorant Mark, it’s not becoming of you.”
Noticing the increased hostility, Mark decided to change the subject, “So, why’d you go through all the trouble of making such a wonderful dinner?”
“I just wanted to surprise you. You’ve been so busy at work lately, staying extra hours. Even going in on the weekends. I just thought you needed it. Anyways, I wanted to show my love for you.”
But the truth was she didn’t love him anymore. In fact, she was quite angry with him. The first time, when she found out what he did with his secretary, she forgave him. They were still young, still so naïve. Even the second time, when he said he was going on a business trip. She found out it was a lot more than just business. But this time, this time he had gone too far. Her sister. Her own sister. How could he go so low?
“Well, thank you. Thank you so much. It’s quite the pleasant surprise."
“No need to thank me,” said Alice putting on her best girlish charm, “it was nothing.”
Alice kept quiet most of the dinner. She was thinking about her sister. Her sister that was only 18 and just out of high-school. Her sister that was still so young, so innocent. Her only sister. Alice had looked out for her sister, ever since she was born. Being 10 years older, she felt obligated to. She had to. She had no other choice.
“Would you mind getting me seconds?” Mark asked bringing Alice back to reality.
“Not at all. I’d love to.” Alice couldn’t be more elated at that very moment.
The rest of dinner went off without a hitch. Mark loved the dinner, more so than she had expected. Being tired from a hard day at work, and an extravagant and unexpected dinner; Mark turned in and made it an early evening.
As Alice sat in her chair recalling the evening’s events, she knew she still had a lot of work to do. After all, the easy work was done. As she pocketed the empty vial of arsenic, Alice could not help but smile to herself. At last, her sister was safe from harm.
