Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Friendship (04/04/05)
-
TITLE: Bryan and Goldie | Previous Challenge Entry
By John Lindsay
04/10/05 -
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES
Goldie bounded into his life without warning. Surprising him, delighting him with her energy and exuberance.
With barely a second thought, Bryan allowed Goldie to take his heart. And when he offered to share his life and home he considered it the best decision he had made in years.
The pleasure was mutual.
Goldie made it obvious she liked his company. Stretched out on the couch beside him, with her head on his lap, she would look up adoringly as he ran his fingers through her hair. Rubbing her neck brought a soft murmur of approval.
Bryan’s reservations about sharing the bed with a new companion soon vanished when Goldie moved into the house. She slept contentedly, seldom waking before him. If he woke in the night the sound of her breathing reassured him that he was not alone.
They enjoyed going out together, sitting quietly on a river bank or taking long walks through city parks.
Those who saw them were sure the relationship would endure to the end of life.
But within a year Bryan’s renewed enthusiasm for life drew him back into his old ways. He retreated into his study where he would spend hours sending emails, searching for information on the internet, creating resources for the grandchildren and friends at church. At first Goldie joined him, sitting for an hour or two in the sun by the window. But he was so engrossed he rarely spoke. Puzzled by the change, she eventually gave up and went elsewhere.
Although Goldie appeared to accept his long absences she felt more and more neglected. Bryan would come into the lounge late in the evening and find her sleeping on the couch, or discover she’d already gone to the bedroom. His apologies were sincere, he intended to be more attentive but he failed.
Goldie was especially upset about the walks. She missed the variety of sights, smells and sounds. And after a winter spent indoors she made it clear she expected the walks to resume in the warmer spring temperatures. Bryan resisted. He made a few reluctant excursions to keep the peace but it was obvious he considered them a waste of time. As long as Goldie was around, Bryan didn’t feel lonely and he started to take the relationship for granted.
Slowly they grew apart. Bryan pursued new projects that took him away from home. Goldie would watch reproachfully as he drove off, before settling down to await his return. She seemed to accept it as her duty to be ready for him, whatever the time.
Bryan was blind to Goldie’s growing despair, not seeing the impact of his neglect and selfishness.
For how long did Goldie plan her exit? She didn’t say.
The end came one mild autumn day when the doors and windows were open to catch the last spell of warm weather before winter. Perhaps it was the prospect of cold months alone indoors that finally prompted her to leave.
Bryan had gone into the garden expecting to be away only a few minutes but his conversation with neighbour George lasted a couple of hours. On his return he noticed a sheet of paper lying on the kitchen floor, apparently blown off the bench.
Bending to pick it up he was startled to see the words “Goodbye Bryan”.
His eyes took only a few seconds to read the brief note.
“Goodbye, Bryan. For years I’ve tried to be a good wife but I will not survive another winter enduring the chilling effects of your control and neglect. You would be just as happy with a dog or cat for company and a housekeeper to cook your meals and clean up after you. Goldie.”
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be right now. CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
: )