Two Hearts Stopped In Only A Matter of Seconds

It all started one morning in the middle of Winter, I was working at my job in Omaha, Nebraska. I have my own business that I named “Expert Photography.” I help create photo collages for CGP Magazine (Characteristics of Good Photos Magazine), and I like to take meaningful pictures on my free time. I love working hard and coming home to my lovely wife, Elaine. One Friday afternoon, I finally came home to get ready for the ice fishing trip Elaine and I had planned. I parked my Toyota Camry in my two car garage. As I walked up my sidewalk leading myself to the front door, I had noticed the fresh snow draped over the steps with a couple of men boot prints leading into the house. The door was ajar and I looked for my wife’s car, for the cause of the boot prints. My wife, Elaine, had been working all day at the salon. Although, my eccentric dog is known for opening our front door on occasion. I walk in and shuffle through my Kombi Flap Briefcase as I look for my phone.

I slip my shoes and my winter coat into the closet in my room. I dial my wife’s number as I look for a comfortable sweatshirt.

“Hey, I was just wondering if you had come home during lunch or let the dog out before you left?” I asked. “No, I have not gotten a chance to go home yet. I’ll make us dinner when I get home though, why do you ask?” She replied.

I asked her a couple of questions about the unwonted encounter I experienced that afternoon. Elaine said that she had been in a major rush out the door, and by mistake, left the it unlocked. I hear Elaine’s voice in my head, telling me it was a simple misunderstanding. I reach down to grab my slippers, and hit my head on one of the drawers when a small bottle of glass falls on the floor. Glass shards are scattered all over the closet floor along with a hanger and a leather black jacket near the back. A jacket that I had never seen in my closet, and certainly not my style. The only jacket that I had seen similar to it, is my brother Sam’s, but he joined the military a while back. Along with the realization of the strong smell of my shattered cologne, I immediately think that my beautiful, trusting, and caring wife was in our house with another man. I was sick to my stomach and felt a keen sense of betrayal. I instantly call the salon and ask if Elaine is still there.

Sheryl picks up, “Hi, this is Sheryl from Big Hair Beauty Salon.”

“Hi Sheryl, this is Brad, Elaine’s husband. I was just curious if Elaine’s still there?”

“I’m sorry Brad she left two hours ago. Is there anything else I can help you with?”

“Did she at least tell you where she went?” I questioned, with a panicking voice.

“All she said was that she was going to the mall with one of her friends.”

I ended the call after I had heard those last words from Elaine’s co-worker. All sorts of things are going through my head at this point. I am full of hatred, chagrin, and disgust. I remained too much inside my head and ended up losing my mind. I debated whether to go and do something stupid and reckless or call Elaine. I made my decision on what’s best for me. I go back to the closet, grab my winter jacket, and ignore the glass on the floor. I go to the garage and scatter these fishing tools: a fishing knife, fishing gloves, and a lighter. I put the fishing knife in my right pocket and my phone in the other. I am extremely angry at Elaine, and I have to teach her a lesson! I gathered all those materials and put them in my trunk along with my camera, a black garbage bag, and a full gallon of gasoline.

I speed through the traffic and head to Elaine’s favorite and nearest mall, Oak View Mall. In the parking lot, I right away spot Elaine’s Chrysler in the first row. I get out of my car and walk up to it. I examine her car looking for any signs that she’s been cheating on me, but I don’t find anything. In my pocket, I feel a vibration and see that Elaine’s calling me, so I pick up.

“Hello,” I answered with a stubborn tone.”

“Hey Brad, I’m sorry I’m late, it was very busy at the salon today. I’ll be home in 20 minutes.”

“Well, I’m at the mall right now, and I have a surprise for you,” I said in a menacing tone of voice. We stayed in long silence, until Elaine finally answers in a quivering pitch.

“Brad are you alright?” I answered back fairly quick, but now in a deranged quality.

“I know that you’ve been at the mall this whole time! Just come outside and I won’t hurt anyone!” I was shouting at this point.

I see Elaine hauling across the street from the mall doors to the parking lot. She looks around with wonder, rushing to her car. With fear in her eyes, she unlocks the door. I stride towards her and she asks me what’s wrong, but with no hesitation, I take out the one object that was in my right pocket. I hugged my dear Elaine for the last time, and slash her left artery in her pale neck. I pull the fishing gloves up through my fingers and on my palms. I check her pulse by her hand. Flat. Dull and lifeless. I grab her keys and unlock her trunk.

I display the unfaithful body in the black garbage bag and dump the whole gallon of gasoline from the top of her blonde luxcious hair to the bottom of her fluffy brown boots. I twisted the bag close and strolled to my retrieving my professional camera. I walked back to Elaine’s corpse, ready to take a great photo, but her phone rang inside the trunk. I look up and see my brother Sam at the mall entrance with his military uniform on, and his phone in his hand. Sam’s eyes and body arrangement showed me that he was shocked after what he had just seen me do. I impulsively fired-up the lighter and threw it in the open trunk and bolted to my car. In my rear-view mirror, my once older brother who loved me dearly, ran towards the car that was seconds away from it’s explosion. Two hearts stopped in a matter of seconds.

I arrived at my house at the same boot prints that had been there since this morning. I checked my mailbox. There I find a letter from my brother Sam that read Hey, little brother! I have finally been released from my military base and was allowed to come home for Christmas. I will be going to the mall on Friday with Elaine so don’t worry. Oh, and if you don’t mind, I put some of my accessories in your closet, and I might’ve put on some of your cologne. Sharing is caring, right? See you soon! — Sam

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