THE END OF A DREAM

By Mae Ondracek

4/11/2002

Mary stood near the edge of the cliff overlooking Marine Bay. She had a lot on her mind and here she could think and sort things out, wondering why she was beginning to mistrust Mickey.

Mary enjoyed watching the moonlight stretching its golden reflection across the vast expanse of water. The sight always soothed her mind so she could think more clearly.

Suddenly a slight breeze caught Mary’s nightgown, causing it to billow out in back. She clutched her shawl around her shoulders, shivering, even though the breeze was warm.

Why did Mickey have to make things so difficult? She wondered. All she wanted was a home with him and eventually, children. But, no, he had to insist they wait another year before getting married. That way they could keep working, saving money towards a honeymoon, and eventually redecorating the house.

They both lived on the bluff but her house was a small cottage, while Mickey’s was the main house. They had decided to live in the ‘big house’ after they were married.

Mickey had insisted they needed protection from wild animals, so they had each purchased a handgun. Mary hated the thing and quickly hid hers in her cedar chest in the bedroom. Out of sight, out of mind, was her idea of forgetting it was there.

It was Thursday and Mickey had called again this afternoon, canceling their dinner date tonight. This was the third time this week, so Mary asked what was wrong. Mickey insisted it was only because of all the overtime he had to put in and tonight he had extra paper work to finish for a client, who was leaving on a two week vacation in the morning.

Mary had always hurried home from work in anticipation of preparing a good meal for Mickey and herself, and spending the evening watching a movie Mickey would bring home, or sometimes they made plans to go to town for dinner and dancing. Now this call canceling their date again, just had to mean something was wrong.

Mickey’s overtime was ruining their relationship and Mary wondered if he really was working overtime or had he become tired of her and interested in someone else? She couldn’t believe that Mickey wouldn’t tell her the truth but she had to find out. Mary hurried back to her house, thinking some how she would find the truth.

They had made plans for Saturday evening and Mickey had promised to be home by six o’clock. He would clean up and see her by 6:45. They would have dinner, watch a movie, and then take a long walk along the cliff’s edge to enjoy the moonlight. Mary was happy to think her fears about Mickey were unfounded and she began to prepare his favorite meal, a boiled New England Dinner. She had already made his favorite desert, a banana cream pie. Mary was cutting up the head of cabbage when the phone rang. She dropped the knife, instinctively knowing it would be Mickey calling to cancel their date again. Mary let the phone ring four times while she managed to calm her voice. When Mickey told her he had to work overtime again and wouldn’t be home until ten o’clock, Mary said that was all right because she had been thinking of going to visit her Aunt Beth in town and she wouldn’t be home until late Sunday afternoon. He seemed happy for her and said he’d try to keep busy Sunday so he wouldn’t miss her too much. After Mickey hung up, Mary slammed down the receiver and yelled, ‘Liar!’ She knew she wouldn’t rest until she got to the bottom of this overtime.

Putting all the food items in the refrigerator, Mary hurried outside to hide her car in the little stand of trees behind the cottage. She knew he wouldn’t check on her, so she patiently waited in her darkened house.

She was startled awake at nine o’clock because she heard a noise outside. Parting the curtain and looking out the window, Mary was pleasantly surprised to see a deer standing there. What a beautiful sight he was and he gazed back at her as if to say, ‘You’ll be just fine.’ She didn’t have long to enjoy watching him, as headlights suddenly appeared, coming up the drive. Mary dropped the curtain and lifted only a small corner, so she could see out. Yes, it was Mickey’s car. After stopping, he helped a young woman out, giving her a kiss, a big hug, and swung her around in a circle. He took her hand as they ran up the stairs to his front door.

Mary let go of the curtain and wept with the realization of where all his overtime had been spent. She soon heard music and laughter coming from the big house. Mary thought, ‘That should be me over there, not her.’

Mary opened her cedar chest and reached down for the gun. She hated the thing but now was the time she must use it. Stepping outside, Mary noticed the golden reflection of the moon on the water and thought, ‘What a perfect night to end this.’

Sometimes next door seems like such a long walk, especially when a treasured dream is about to come to an end. Mary slowly dragged herself up the steps to Mickey’s front door. Looking in the window, she saw Mickey and the woman dancing closer than he had ever held her. Her mind snapped and she quickly turned the door handle and pushed the door wide. Running into the front room, she fired all six shots and two surprised people fell at her feet, their blood spewing out and mingling together. Mary’s hand flew to her mouth as she stifled a scream and dropped the gun.

Mary sobbed as she ran out the door, down the steps, and headed towards her solace, the golden path on Marine Bay. She didn’t stop running until she felt herself in space. Then she thought, ‘Peace at last.’

Upon hitting the rocks below, her tiny body lay broken and motionless as the golden moonbeam caressed her warm face one last time.

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