We were lying on the couch, our couch, when the telephone rang, and he jumped up so fast my heart skipped a beat. I could tell who it was by the way he talked in low tones, careful to stay just out of earshot. And I remember thinking it was over. In a moment he would leave on some errand, and I would pack up my things, and move to my moms, and it would be over.

As we tried to finish the movie he was antsy.
“How much longer?” he asked
And I gave some vague estimation.
“Couple Hours.” I said.
And he rolled his eyes and bit his lip and I hated him. Hated him for being so obvious.

So when the credits came on he jumped up again, mumbled something about it being a good film, and then,

“I’ve got to run out to the store. I don’t know how long I’ll be. You know how the mall is this time of the year.”
And I nod. “I’ll be here all night.” I say, knowing it’s a lie.

He leaves with a quick goodbye and a hurried hug. I take my time up the stairs and into our bedroom, where I begin to pack clothes in our suitcase.