Within the hour, Sara had a bag packed. She had forgotten all about the broken teacup on the kitchen floor. She grabbed the broom and dustpan from the closet. She swept up the broken white ceramic shards with blue flowered print and placed the remains of the teacup into the trash container. She used the kitchen towel to soak up the remaining liquid on the floor.
With a few quick clicks on her computer screen, she had a one-way ticket to Geneva, Switzerland. She heard the screen door off the kitchen open and close and knew her husband was home. She got up from her desk chair and approached the kitchen. John had taken out a plate from the cabinet, some sliced deli meat from the fridge, and some bread from the pantry and placed the items on the counter. Sara stood in the doorway. John glanced over his shoulder and turned back to continue preparing his sandwich.
“Hey, hey,” John said casually.
Sara stood in the doorway silent. Her face was blank.
John sensing something was wrong stopped what he was doing and turned to look at Sara.
“I have to go,” Sara stated without emotion.
“Okay,” John responded. “I’ll see you later,” not realizing the intensity of her statement he went back to preparing his sandwich.
Sara stepped forward and said with emphasis, “John,” he turned. “I need to go away for awhile.”
John looked at her dumbfounded. “What? What’s wrong?”
Sara lied, “I need to go see my mother.”
“Is everything alright?” John said nervously.
Sara closed her eyes for a moment and continued her lie, “Yes everything is fine. She needs me right now. My father is being a pain in the ass.”
Jokingly, “well that’s understandable,” John smiled.
Sara stood un-phased by his comment.
John removed the smile from his face, “Is everything alright?” Realizing the severity of the situation.
Sara stepped forward toward John. “Yes, it is but I’ve got to go. Okay. I love you.” She kisses him quickly.
John stood there against the counter flabbergasted as she walked toward the back door and placed her hand on the handle. He managed to gain enough composure before she walked out the door. “Sara,” she stopped and turned toward him, “I love you.”
Sara gazed at him. She gave a slight smile and said, “I know. I love you too,” and she walked out the door.
