AN UNFAIR SIDE OF LOVE

dn't feel real. It was like time wasn't ticking, and the

heartbeat. There was this uneasy tension in the air, like

usied himself in work. He woke up before dawn, His hands were al

mething going wrong. He was scared that maybe, she'd ge

any), and panicking over what the hell to wear. Her best outfit was a sundress with tiny blue flowers and a faded hem. It had been cute at prom two years ago, but now

came Mr

h a garment bag over her arm like it was no big deal. Sharon was seated on the kitchen's chair trying

le said, "Heard you've g

ss the table and unzipped it

as navy blue, knee-length, simple and elegant at the same time, Just enough shape to praise, not en

little softer now, "Long time ago and I've worn it twice. Seems stupid

ron to say thank you. S

while changing, carefully tugging the zipper. When she turned around to l

nails still had dirt under them from feeding the chickens earlier, but for the first tim

ke hay and motor oil, his hands stained with mud. He saw her s

swallow you whole, Sharon," she said, picking up h

oward Ken, who ha

of the dress like she was afraid to stain it. "Tha

er woman replied, alrea

re alone. "You look... differe

hy and proud. "I

got him m

h all was well. The whole place remained quiet, The sky was too big an

red?" Ken as

ting there and realizing that it's not a place

said, Then he added,

resting her head against h

on this journey toge

meone has to stay behind a

some bundle of cash. It wasn't clean, new money. It w

ed. "Ken, wh

the tr

ed, Closed, Sh

u w

eed it, cheaper that way. This is for your ticket, for fo

rified. "Ken, no! That's every

round the money. "I need

n't allow her. "I'll pay you back,

oice cracked. "I want you to go out the

, Holding each other, Letting the

outside the hardware store. Ken's old pickup rattled to a stop, and they sat there

s was folded carefully inside, w

sing her and her dad had hugged her so hard that her ribs ached

just her and Ken,

out bus p

etly said, trying to

an he had ever done. "I

kissed him hard, then soft.

the bus. She found a seat in the third row and lo

wa

sed hi

s pull

t believe that

-

ter the bus had gone of

one, The girl was gone, The sky was grey, a

fire, Nothing felt real anym

ang, he jum

wasn'

le Peter

und, headed east on I-80, Near Platte River, Bad weather hit. We d

world

he phone. Ju

d outside, hit

see was the b

oodby

from th

hen n

t w

sil

t g