Short Story: A Misunderstanding

Short Story: A Misunderstanding

Life lately had been very hectic and I had found myself running around being kept extremely busy with work. So much so, that I had been neglecting my husband, Sam. And although I felt guilty doing this I just couldn’t seem to get on top of things quickly enough to be able to spend more time with him. Therefore, he had been left to amuse himself.

My days had been starting early and finishing late, with no let up. It was my own fault for I had been doing yet another project and, as usual, I had thrown myself into it wholeheartedly. The new restaurant I was opening was nearly ready and as the opening night drew closer the length of time I spent there seemed to increase.

Each night I would have to drag myself back to the small apartment we were currently living in, only to find my dear husband fast asleep in bed. I would sneak in quietly so as not to disturb him, before dropping into a deep sleep from which I would not awaken until the sound of the alarm clock ringing in the morning pulled me from the comfort and security of my bed. Then the day would start all over again and grabbing a quick slice of toast and a drink I would take my husband a cup of tea, give him a quick peck on the cheek and literally fly out of the apartment before he could say, “good-morning.”

Sam and I had met some ten years ago. We had both been married before and had never expected to ‘find love’ again. He had been a representative of a food company in the catering trade and I had just opened my first restaurant. We had hit it off immediately, finding we had much in common.

Within a year we were married and whilst he travelled, selling foodstuffs for his company, I would continue to run my restaurant. Within two years I had opened a second place and three years later a third. I became a very busy woman so eventually Sam gave up his job to work alongside me.

Time passed quickly and the night before the grand opening party I finally found myself able to leave the restaurant two hours earlier than normal. I was amazed by the fact that the staff and I had managed to complete everything on time.

Although I had finished earlier than usual it was still late when I arrived at the apartment expecting to find my husband fast asleep in bed. Quietly I slipped the key into the lock; the hall light was out but there was a thin sliver of light showing under the bedroom door. He must have fallen asleep with the light on, I thought.

As I made my way along the hallway not wanting to disturb Sam I suddenly became aware of muted voices coming from the bedroom. I froze to the spot, my heart began beating loudly and I thought he would hear it. Carefully and slowly as I edged towards the bedroom door I suddenly felt something soft beneath my feet. Bending down I slowly lifted the soft sensual material, a waft of exotic perfume emanating from it. It was a dress! And not just any dress but the veritable ‘little, black number’, and obviously for a slim woman as it seemed two dress sizes smaller than mine.

I froze to the spot. My throat constricted and before I could stop myself I gasped with shock. The voices stopped and I heard movement from within the bedroom. I dropped the dress, turned and headed towards the front door. There was no way I could stay in the apartment to face my husband and his lady friend. Without thinking I turned and ran, slamming the outer door shut behind me.

I ran and ran and ran. Down the hallway, into the lift, then out the front door of the apartment block and down the street. Tears coursed uncontrollably down my face and I wiped them away every so often with the back of my hand so I could see my way in the darkness. I had no idea where I was going, I just ran and ran until finally, too exhausted to continue running, I finally managed to slow down and stop. When I looked around I was standing by the river bank my mind in a whirl.

As I watched the fast flowing waters of the river my mind ran amok. My husband, my adorable Sam was having an affair. He had found another woman; and one who was younger and slimmer than me. My God, I thought, what was I going to do now?

Suddenly I stopped mulling the past over as it dawned on me that I had become too busy. Perhaps Sam had got bored with me never being at home, always working until he had finally had enough. He had found someone new and I knew I couldn’t blame him for doing so. I had been neglecting him for ages. I felt I might as well be dead.

Without Sam I was nothing. He was my rock, my foundation, the person who kept me sane when things got on top of me. He looked after everything, kept the home we lived in running, fed me and guided me and I had failed to appreciate what he did because now he would leave me and I would be all alone. Yes, I thought, I might as well be dead because without him in my life I knew I would feel as if I were dead.

I looked at the river. Perhaps I should end it all, here and now, I thought. But as I stared into the dark fast flowing water below me I suddenly realised that something was amiss. The waters were running fast. In fact they were running faster than I had ever seen them run. And the noise from the river seemed louder than it had ever done so before. There was also a small rumbling noise in the background which I couldn’t seem to place. I stood and watched the swirling waters flying past me.

Suddenly out of the darkness there were people running and shouting. Some were screaming and as a man flew past me he yelled to me, “run!”

“Why?” I shouted after him.

Without stopping he yelled back at me, “The dam has broken its banks. Get to higher ground quick.”

I looked towards where the dam was and again that rumbling noise penetrated the air only this time it was louder, more so with each passing minute. I turned towards the hillside in a panic. Where should I go, what should I do. Oh Sam why aren’t you here to help me?

Then it hit me, the restaurant, it was at the top of the hill. I would be safe there and so turning towards the hillside I took off at a sprint. I ran for all I was worth as I could hear the dam waters getting closer and closer. The noise was becoming horrendous and I was frightened.

I was part-way up the hill when I stumbled and fell, panting for breath for all I was worth. I was out of condition and now surely I was going to die unless I got up onto my feet and started running again.

As I gathered what strength I had left so I could continue up the hill a strong pair of arms gently enclosed me and lifted me onto my feet.

“Thank God you are safe,” the man said. And as I looked up I found my husband standing there encouraging me to get up and run. Letting him take me by the arm we clambered up the hillside together towards to the restaurant. Never before had I been so glad to see him.

As we got to the top of the hill we turned and looking down towards the riverbank I gasped; there was no river bank just a wide ribbon of dirty water, a torrent with all manner of things floating past at speed.

As I gathered my senses I realised there were a large number of people stood around watching the action unfold below us. All appeared to be upset and frightened. One or two were cold and wet and they shivered in the night air. I spotted my two chefs and the waiting staff. They had stayed behind after I had left to double check that everything was ready for the following night’s party.

Gathering them around me I instructed the head waiter to unlock the doors to the restaurant and to let the people standing around go in. The Chef’s went of to the kitchen to make hot tea whilst the rest of staff started to guide the people inside, encouraging them to sit down at the pretty tables we had set up earlier. I had the food trays we had prepared for the party brought out and the waitresses made sure that everyone had something to eat and drink.

We found dry clothing for the those who were wet and, where there were no chairs left to sit on, people sat on the floor, cuddling up to each other to gain warmth and comfort from the horrors of what was happening outside.

I looked up, catching Sam watching me, as I passed around the restaurant ensuring that everyone was okay and provided for. He smiled at me and I saw such love in his eyes that I almost choked with the emotion of how he made me feel. I slowly smiled back before we both returned to what we were doing. It had been a personal, private moment shared between the two of us.

Five hours later the sun slowly rose in the sky and hearing a banging I left my husband’s side, where I had lain for the past few hours, to go and answer the door. I felt bereft at leaving the familiar comfort and security of those strong arms. It was the Police; they had finally come to check that everyone was okay and to inform us that we could return to our homes as the water had now subsided.

Slowly people raised themselves to their feet and as they passed through the doors into the fresh new day each thoughtfully took a moment to thank me for helping them. Finally the staff, Sam and I followed the people out to look at the devastation of the previous night.

The river had returned to normal, albeit a little higher and flowing a little faster than usual. We all stood quietly staring down the hillside, each us lost in our own thoughts. There were cars laid upside down and furniture, clothing and other debris spread all around. The sight was heartbreaking. Slowly the people wandered away hoping that they would still find their homes standing, not damaged and their loved ones safe.

I went back inside the restaurant and standing inside the doorway I surveyed the mess. There were empty cups and part filled glasses everywhere. The food the chef’s had so lovingly prepared for the party was just about all gone. The tables, which had looked so pretty earlier on, were now in ruins; I wanted to cry. But I knew the tears I wanted to shed were for my lost love not the devastation in front of me.

As I moved further inside I heard a commotion as someone burst into the restaurant calling Sam’s name. I heard the words apartment, engagement and bedroom, then something about the flood water. As I turned I saw Thomas, my husband’s best friend from his old company, talking animatedly. Then I noticed that stood next to Thomas and holding his hand tight, was a young blond woman wearing a little, black dress and smelling of a sensual perfume. A perfume I recognised.

Thomas was apologising to Sam about staying too long in the apartment. Unbeknown to me he had asked Sam if he could use the flat as he wanted somewhere quiet to ask Janice, her of the black dress, to marry him. She had said yes and, according to Thomas, things had got a little bit out of hand and they had ended up in bed together to celebrate. It was only later as they came to leave that they had found the ground floor under water and had been forced to remain in the building until the water had subsided.

The relief I felt at the news was overwhelming and I had to turn away quickly before I burst into tears. My mind was in a whirl. My husband hadn’t been unfaithful. He hadn’t found someone new after all. As I stood there trying to control my emotions I felt those familiar strong arms slowly entwine themselves around me.

“It will be okay,” I heard my husband say in my ear; “we can sort this mess out ready for tonight’s party.”

Never had I heard anything so wonderful.

Slowly I turned to look into Sam’s eyes and shaking my head I said, “No; we will postpone it until the end of the week.”

Sam just nodded in agreement before gently kissing me.

“I love you,” I said when he finally moved away from my lips.

“I know,” he replied, “and I love you. Let’s go home.”