Flash Fiction Piece

Tara Fraprie

A Simple Lie

            “I love you Julia,” The words take me by surprise. The weight of the smile that was on my face, threatens to remove itself as I fight to keep it intact.

            As my brain shuts down, I lose all control over my thoughts. My mind flies to the intricate hollowness of my body, where I can feel every elongated pulse of the heart that sends blood to my frozen limbs. The clenching of my stomach would have keeled me over if it were not for all the stiffness preventing motion.

            This has happened before. Many times. And like all the others, this man is perfect, beyond anything I deserve, but I do not love him.

            My awareness is taken to thinking of something that will get him to leave. If I tell him I have a lot going on right now, he will ask what. If I tell him I am moving away, he will ask where. If I tell him I don’t love him, he will ask why.

            My whole body is shaking and he is still standing here, waiting for me to answer but I just want him to leave. I don’t want to say anything. He should just take the hint, turn and leave. I don’t want to do this.

            I reach up with my trembling hand to touch his cheek and I push the lie from my quivering lips. “I love you too.”