Late Again

Charlie has some explaining to do once he gets home.

Late Again

Tonight, Charlie pulled his SUV over toward the curb and stopped. His home sat just around the corner, and he had to make up an excuse where he'd been. Janine's stares the last few days appeared as daggers, cutting right through to get to the truth. He couldn't let her know the truth - not yet.


He gazed at the moon through the driver-side window, barely visible through the trees now. It had just risen and appeared bloated as it sat above the horizon. He scanned the darkened neighborhood, briefly pausing at the homes that illuminated their porches. Then he began weaving a convincing lie, one that Janine couldn't deny. While driving home tonight, he'd luckily missed a terrible accident on the highway which took place behind him and caused the entire highway to be blocked for a long time. He could just tell her he finally made it through the traffic jam. Simple.


He veered from the curb, then turned the corner. The porch light outside his home was out - not a good sign. Janine usually turned it on every night, but Charlie dismissed it as a one off and pulled into the garage.


Inside, Janine was waiting in kitchen, and she didn't look pleased. As expected, she asked why he was so late, and he relayed the traffic story to her. She squinted for a moment before drawing her head back and returning to the living room. He wasn't sure if she believed him or not, but it may buy him one more day. The jeweler had botched the engagement ring he'd purchased, and Charlie was already overdue at slipping it on Janine's finger.