137 Yes Things and No Things

Yes, things were important to him, but she tired of being his sweet, young thing. He admired things for their beauty, and he admired his fourth wife for hers, but not much else.

He spared no expense for her, because he could. Like he spared no expense for his garage of fine cars, his collection of art, his drawer of Rolexes, or his stable of thoroughbreds.

She knew going with him tonight was important. He got off on their entrances, which gloated, silently, to everyone to eat their hearts out.

She had run out of small talk. For him, there was no such thing as small talk--only small talkers.

"What's wrong, my love?" he asked.

"Nothing." She answered curtly.

"Nothing?"

"Nothing."

"Nothing at all?"

"I said nothing. Let me do my makeup, OK?"

"We don't have to go, you know."

"No. You wanted to go. They'll all be there."

"I know you don't like them. We don't have to go."

"I said I would, so we are."

"So everything's OK?"

"Yes!"

He gave her some privacy until she presented herself to him when it was time to leave for their gala. He was impeccable in his blue Kiton tuxedo from Arzano, Naples. She had on her little something from the new collection by the French luxury fashion house, Maison Margiela.

Only...one corner of her mouth trailed with lipstick down her chin. It looked as if she had either had a stroke or had had a monkey finish applying her makeup.

"Are you OK?" he asked, pursuing the stroke theory first.

"Yes, why?" she asked, again, curtly.

"Your makeup. Your lipstick. It's not just on your lips." She glared, and he looked at her--really looked--taking her seriously for the first time in their relationship.

"I'm finished with my makeup. With my lipstick," she said with finality.

"Nothing's wrong?"

"Are you starting that again?"

"No, Never mind. Nothing."

"Nothing? Really? That's what you think? Funny how that word keeps coming back."

"Something's wrong, isn't there?"

She didn't hear him, because she was no longer in mindfulness. And it wouldn't take long for her to vacate their marriage bodily.

Of the things he still had, she was no thing.

__________

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

For Thursday, May 16, Day 137 of the Story-a-Day Challenge.

366 WORDS (without A/N)

All pictures are AI-generated, but the resentment is not!

---

There are currently three Vocal creators still participating in the 2024 Story-a-Day Challenge:

• L.C. Schäfer, challenge originator

• Rachel Deeming

• Gerard DiLeo (some other guy)

PLEASE SUPPORT THEM BY READING THEIR DAILY SUBMISSIONS