The Decision
by
Robert Dominguez Jr.
10-01-04
The rain came down with such force that the windshield wipers struggled to keep the view clear. Eric somberly gazed out the passenger window; he knew what was going to happen once they arrived at their destination. A light tint of red shined across his face as he let it rest upon the glass.
“Are you okay?” asked Mary as she exchanged looks between the road and Eric.
“I’m alright.”
“Are you sure because you look a little sick?” Mary gripped the steering wheel hoping that what she said wouldn’t change his mind.
“No really, I’m okay. Maybe it’s just the weather.” The truth was that Eric was incredibly nervous; the churning inside his gut was almost unbearable. He did feel nauseated but the plan was in motion and in a sense he felt that there was no turning back. As the car began to move again Eric looked at his watch. It was eleven thirty; they had the whole day to work with.
Mary reached over and grabbed Eric’s left hand and whispered, “I hope that you’re looking forward to this as much as I am.”
At first he didn’t know what to say. Was he really doing the right thing? “I am, trust me I’m here because I want to be here.” That was a lie; subconsciously his motives were led by lust, lost of any feeling. Hers on the other hand remained to be seen for she said she had immense feelings for him, but under the circumstances one would doubt it. This had to be the longest ride for Eric, because soon he would make a decision that would dramatically change his world. So much was at stake; so many people would be hurt if their acts were ever exposed. Eric could sense that Mary was more nervous than she led on. Maybe it was the way she kept fiddling with the radio stations, or the way she continually messed with her hair.
The slight sound of squeaking brakes signified their arrival. The dark clouds made the glowing sign that read “Shores End Motel” shine that much brighter. Mary put the car in park and turned the engine off. Fog started to appear quickly on all the windows. They were warm and dry in the vehicle, inside from the elements. Eric looked over at Mary and noticed that she had pulled a key from her pocket. Eric felt that his anticipation of their union was far excruciating than the act itself.
“Are you sure you’re ready for this?” inquired Mary with one hand on the car door handle. She obviously was.”
“Just a little nervous but I’ll be okay.”
“I’m going to go in first, wait for a couple of minutes so that I can put something on for you. And also you know the other reason. . . . I’ll be waiting” and with that she sprinted through the rain, opened the motel door, and entered. Eric squirmed in his seat pondering over the situation at hand. She made it easy for him, opened the door to lust and desire which he so readily entered. Every moral fiber in his being said it was wrong, because she was a mother with a family and kids. Why he decided to accept her persuasions no one will ever know, not even Eric. As he got ready to leave the vehicle, he noticed that she had left her purse. Eric reached down to the floor board and picked it up so that he could return it to her, but something fell out. His heart skipped a beat as breathing suddenly became a chore. Was this divine intervention telling him to stop and yield to common sense and dignity? No matter, Eric was set in his ways and at the task at hand. His motives were wrong in every sense, there was no feelings involved on his part just the rush and excitement of what was to be. Before departing he carefully replaced the pictures that fell out, one of which was her son a high school student, best friend, and classmate of Eric’s. And with that the car door shut.
“Copyright © 2004 by Robert Dominguez Jr. All Rights Reserved.”