Wild Card: That Place

 This assignment started as a short four minute writing assignment based on the type of music that we were listening to. The idea was to see how different music influenced our thinking. I took my favorite short write out of eight, and turned it into a story with both conflict and resolution. What I like most about this piece of writing is how I was able to keep almost exactly what I started with, and add to it without changing the idea of it. 

That Place

            It was a warm summer night in San Diego. Tony was on his way home from work to grab his girlfriend and take her out to dinner for their three year anniversary. Tony had a special night planned, and if all went well, he would leave dinner with a fiancé.

            Three years ago to the day, Tony walked out of the coffee shop delirious of his surroundings and bumped into Lauren. His coffee went all over the two of them, and this was sure to be the start of a very bad day. When they both looked up, they made eye contact that would not let go. Tony asked how he could make it up to the beautiful girl that he wished to continue conversation wish. A simple purchase of her coffee, and an hour spent talking in the shop kindled what seemed to be such a strong flame.

            “I love you so much” Tony said as he reached his hand across the table to grab hers. The dinner arrived and the wonderful aroma of the succulent filet mignon being placed in front of the two.

            “Tony, I love you too but we need to talk, I need to explain where I stand.” Lauren replied.

            In his eyes, you could see Tony’s pain and worry grow as he began to think the worst. Lauren proceeded to explain how she had no longer maintained the same feelings in which she had before, and found herself falling for another man. Tony’s heart was an anchor, and seemed to sink deeper and deeper into his chest. He asked who, and pleaded to know what this new guy had that he didn’t, but no answer was given that he wanted to hear. In no time his voice had escalated from the sweet tone, to a loud yell. Tony and Lauren, forgetting about their presence in an elegant restaurant, began to scream back and forth at each other as if the explanation would come from the pain in the other person.

Knowing that his love of his live was no longer going to be in his life, he pulled the ring box out of his pocket and set it on the table. Lauren’s eyes and face dropped in an unknown mix of emotion; she had realized just how much pain she had caused him. Tony walked away, tears running down his face. He knew he needed to get away, and he knew it needed to be fast.

Tony bought the first ticket he could find to the Bahamas, and flew down. Although his heart was still broken, he felt that being in this new place, it allowed him to heal. The first time was the most important and influential.

Tony gazed out to an endless horizon. With no city lights, bustling cars, or worries of plans, he was able to be at one with himself and this place. Resting on the beach, with his back up against a coconut tree, Tony watched the falling sun begin to touch the ocean. In an instant the sky was filled with a beautiful mix of pink, orange, and yellow all being reflected off the sea like a mirror. This was where Tony figured out that he would be able to move on and love again.