Texting
A Story Every Day in 2024 Oct 25th 299/366
Bethan and Katie
A text message:
K: Hi
B: Hi there. How are you?
K: Okay.
B: Anything happen?
K: No, all good. :)
B: Good.
K: Can you talk?
B: Now? What's up?
K: Nothing. I just need to tell you something.
B: Urgent?
K: No. Later? I'll text you.
B: Okay. You're sure you're okay?
K: Sure. :)
Dave
I'm not a bad man. I'm not. I did a stupid thing and maybe I should have shown more restraint and ended it with Christine. But I didn't and I don't regret that. It was hard to juggle this double life but I stand by what I did.
What could I do? They all depended on me! Do you know the weight of that burden, knowing that you have people who are counting on you? I could have walked away completely, couldn't I? But I didn't! I stayed and I worked hard and I kept everyone happy as best as I could. I didn't mean to deceive, I swear. I just didn't want to let anyone down.
But it's all crumbling down anyway and I don't know how to stop it. Christine remains oblivious to everything. She knows I'm tense but she thinks it's a work thing. But Katie is different towards me and it's making me edgy.
Should I just tell the truth? No, I can't do that. I need to know what Katie knows. But I can't confront her. How do I do this? I need to think. Her phone? Yes. There might be something on her phone.
Bethan
I had a dream last night that I kidnapped Dave. Took him to a lock-up. Tied him to a chair. Blindfolded him. He was crying and I remember feeling this immense sense of power over him, that I could make him feel weak and vulnerable.
He told me nothing at all. He just cried and pleaded with me. I felt the rage building. I felt like...I wanted to hurt him...
My frustration jolted me awake. I was gasping with the power of it; it was so vivid. I felt strong. And then, I just felt sad: sad for us all.
***
365 words
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Comments (11)
Bethan is such a well developed character! they all are!
Hmmmmm she dreamt this, eh? I have a feeling this may be one dream she grant herself! 😅 We'll have to see, I guess!!
I wish Bethan would kidnap and tie up Dave....get the answers she deserves after losing a child with him. Unlike your other readers, I have little empathy or sympathy for Dave. He made his decisions and appears far too concerned about himself above all else.
Dave is a really complex character, isn’t he, Rachel? I still have had time feeling empathy for him but I think I understand him a little better now.
Really liked the way you sandwich a bit of sympathetic leaning Dave perspective between the texting and Bethan’s dream. And Bethan’s sadness at the end was an impactful way to end this chapter
Sorry, Dave. No excuse. I wonder if B will make her dream reality. Hmmm.
Yep… so sad for them all🥺
K: Can you talk? B: Sure. What's up? K: Nothing. I just need to tell you something. B: Okay. I can't now. Okay so I was on Bethan's side until she pulled this shit on Katie. Katie asked can you talk and she said sure. Then Katie said she wanna tell her something and Bethan says she can't now??? Like what's up with that? Who the actual hell tells a person they can talk and immediately follow up with they can't now????
Nice , I had to read this . I wanted more
A great chat fiction and the final two paragraphs were so intense
I am suppose to dislike Dave, but yet I feel sorry for him. It's crazy how so much can be hidden behind what seems like work stress. Crazy how you could think you know a person... will Christine realise that she's only scratching the surface. Who knows. This was great, I would say you got me where you wanted me. Well done Rachel.