Very short stories

She married a bully

She married a bully
for she could not see
all the signs and warnings
from those who did see.
 
She preferred to ignore
the rudeness to waiters
if a meal was cold,
and to those he thought
were completely wrong.
 
The lack of compassion
for those who are in pain, 
or respect for his elders
– including herself –
should have told her something
how long would it take?
 
Then she started feeling
the weight of his words
finding a new path
to her weary own heart.
 
He grabbed on to others 
trying hard to float
she was more than tired
but managed to soar. 
 
Watching from the distance 
empowering her soul
could live there forever
standing by the shore.
 
© Irene Z, 2019.

Two punks in love

“Are you jealous, Ben?” Marta asked while slightly biting her pierced black lips.  She was secretly flattered by the idea.

“No.”  Ben answered without even blinking. Staring at the road and repositioning both hands on the wheel, feeling the old leathery texture as if he was driving his 1970 GMC pick up truck for the very first time.

“Honey! You are so jealous! Why can’t you just admit it?” And she burst out laughing, as her hiccups would allow. She never drank much but would still get silly and sleepy. 

“Well, Marta…” – now she got his full attention, not the road – “didn’t you see how that idiot was looking at you and kept making the dumbest jokes I’ve ever heard? Where did that clown come from anyway?  He simply did not belong at this party. Not cool, man. Not cool.”

Marta blinked, trying to stay awake.  She held Ben’s hand firmly, stopping him from pulling the threads on his ripped black jeans.

He turned his head away and spat out the window.  “Just sayin’… Not cool babe…”

A few seconds went by in total silence.  Ben started giggling. 

Marta simply adored him.

“I love you babe” – Ben whispered after taking a deep breath, as he squeezed her hand before turning the radio volume up. 

“Love you too Ben, I always will.” And she smiled looking out the window, getting lost in the darkness of the forest fleeting by.