Mrs Mariano: Part 1

by L Neil

  I’m going to lose her!

  My chest aches and each breath I take is sharp from the ice-cold air. This can’t be happening.

  If I gave her back the Zippo and told her to burn down my house, would it make her feel better?

  I don’t need the house. And I don’t want the cars, the money, the apartments, the planes, the restaurants, not really. She can burn them all if it will make her return to me.

  The car roars to life and even if I knew what the fuck to say or do, it’s too late.

  I am utterly powerless.

  ✽✽✽