(Author’s note: I’m not sure exactly what it is, but my job has given me a few issues regarding rest and sleep. Mentally, my job is exhausting. And writing after a hard day is one of those things that I have been endeavoring to do, but yet many times failing over this summer period. I’m hoping to get better, but I’m not sure what that will look like.
Until then, you have today. And a Fictioneers post from me. Enjoy!)
© Dale Rogerson
Waiting For An Answer
by Miles H. Rost
“Well?”
Carlos looked back from the window, blinking his eyes to readjust.
“Well what?”
“Have you paid any attention to what I’m asking?”
“Yes. I just don’t know what you want.”
Debra looked him dead in the eye.
“I’m waiting for an answer about moving in together.”
Carlos thought for a moment, recalling all the events they had apart. He snickered as he thought about them.
“Well?”
He stood and smiled.
“No. We are not moving in together.”
“WHAT?! What do you mean?”
“I mean, I’m not living with you. I don’t need a hen in my house. We’re through.”
Music and Fiction 
Ouch. I’m thinking with his reaction that she had dodged the bullet.
Actually, it was he who dodged the bullet. He finally got tired of her henpecking.
Hmm, same planet, different worlds…
Mars and Venus, most certainly.
Wow. That was cold. I think she’s better off NOT moving in with him!
To which when I wrote it, I had it as opposite. He was better off not moving in with her. Part of that was in how she demanded an answer, which a person can get severely turned off by (certainly did that to me many many moons ago.)
First off, sorry to hear your job is mentally exhausting you and hope whatever conditions that make it so shift for you. Secondly, when a person is being “pecked” to make a huge decision, the answer may not be what the “pecker” wants. Maybe they can reconcile, but maybe not, if things don’t change for each of them. Tense story and well-written.
Claims analysis is a VERY tough job. Mentally, that is. But, there’s more to the story on that part. As far as the pecking in the story, I think it’s well past the reconciliation stage at this point. Well done in your analysis.
Thanks, Miles.