Chapters of Stories that I'll Never Write

"Please, if you ever do anything for me, please just let me down."

"What are you talking about?"

"Just this once, I need you to not be there for me."

"That's crazy. What are you-" There was a short pause where he finally caught on. "It's about him, isn't it?"

The silence that hung between them was thick with tension. Finally, he sighed and she braced for the worst. But his tone changed. Softer, but faintly strained like he was holding something back.

"Fine. I won't be there. But you better know what you're doing."

She finally released the breath she was holding, and he noticed all of it. From the subtle coil of every muscle in her body to the way her shoulders slumped slightly on the exhale. He wondered if she knew exactly why she started that habit.

"I do." She tried to sound reassuring, but he knew better. For a moment he didn't speak. Didn't move to the door like she expected him to. He just stood there staring at her like he was trying to memorize the exact placement of every freckle on her face.

"You know my number," he finally spoke again.

"Yes, you made me memorize it."

"I know. Repeat it back to me."

Her eyes narrowed in annoyance, but he didn't care. "After that will you leave my house?"

"Yes," he answered too quickly. Like he was expecting her to say that and just gave her the answer she wanted to hear.

______________________________________________________

"That man tried to kill you and you're going to dinner with him?" He kept his voice quiet and controlled despite the disbelief in it.

"He's my husband," she stated like it was simply obvious instead of absurd.

"But why?"

"Why what?"

"Why did you marry that man?"

The line went quiet. The only sound for a few moments was each other breathing on either end.

"Estella." Quiet, almost apologetic. "You don't have to do anything for him. You don't even have to stay in that house. I'll find a place for you."

"You don't understand." Her voice was strained now. The way it got when she was holding back tears.

"Then tell me, sweetheart," he murmured softly into the receiver. "Help me understand. I just want what's best for you."

Again, both ends went quiet but the breathing on her end was uneven now.

"It's alright. You don't have to talk about it tonight. Everything will be alright in the morning. Just get some sleep, Stell." He tried his best to sound comforting, but it was difficult through his frustration.

There was another pause before she took a shaky breath. "Good night, Jack."

"Good night, Stell."