Three Word Wednesday

Three Word Wednesday

 Indecision; noun: the inability to make a decision quickly.

Option; noun: A thing that is or can be chosen; the freedom, power, or right to choose something; verb: buy or sell an option on (something).

Fate; noun: The development of events beyond a person’s control, regarded as determined by a supernatural power; the course of someone’s life, or the outcome of a particular situation for someone or something, seen as beyond their control; verb: Be destined to happen, turn out, or act in a particular way.

                                    The Road Not Taken

       I don’t know how I got in this situation. Such indecision on how I got here. I guess it was fate. Well I guess that’s a lie this morning started out so simply just like every other morning on my honeymoon. But I’m getting ahead of myself here.

     I’m a newlywed fifty-two years old and I was sure I’d found my soul mate. So two days ago we were married. 


   My husband Brad said he had a surprise for me. He’d made plans for our honeymoon. I was so pleased I thought I would have to pay for the honeymoon since I was the one with all the money. Brad told me it was surprise and wouldn’t even say where we were going until we got her to Kaiten’s Bluff. It’s a remote area way up north. I was surprised all right. I hate the great outdoors and would have liked the option to not partake in them. However when I thought about I was sure Brad had done this so we could be alone without the press following our every move. That’s what happens when you are a wealthy socialite; they follow you around looking for the money shot.

      Brad tenderly made love to me not once but three times this morning and then stated that after breakfast he’d like to explore the area. I dithered and complained I didn’t have any hiking clothes or boots and Brad gave me another surprise. You guessed it hiking attire. Well since marriage is a two way street I consented thinking maybe hiking wouldn’t be so bad I had the right clothes now after all.

     After a big breakfast served at our lovely bed and breakfast we started the hike. There were trees everywhere and I asked Brad if he was sure he could find his way back. He then told me to watch as he marked the trees with a florescent marker. Finally after an hour’s trike we reached Kaiten’s bluff. It was glorious there although I didn’t want to get close to the edge with my fear of heights. Brad took me in his arms. He tried to coax me to the edge.

“You’re missing the best part. Look at that blue sky and those bluffs and if you look way down you can see the stream. See.” he concluded turning my head so I had to look down

    As I looked down I had to admit it was a lovely sight just as I felt Brad’s arms pull back and push me over the edge of the bluff. I grab out trying to save myself and manage to grab Brad’s leg. We both go tumbling over the edge. I lose my grip on Brad and he falls to the stream one hundred feet below. I however manage to grab alone tree that is jutting out of the cliff and with strength I didn’t know I possessed I pull myself up almost to the top to a ledge there.

    So here I sit waiting to be rescued two days later. Was Brad trying to kill me? If he was then he’s done a good job without telling anyone where we were going I’m a sitting duck here waiting for starvation or thirst to kill me.

I hear a noise a rumble of rocks above as they peter down on my head.

“Mary Hatch-Potter? Are you there? I hear “I shout back “Here, Here.”

      I am recued as the person pulls me up with his rope to safety. I look over and can’t believe my eyes. It’s someone I haven’t seen in thirty four years. My high school boyfriend.

“Why George Bailey. I haven’t seen you since high school what are you doing here?”

“At the moment rescuing you.” George laughs “I’m sorry Mary but we found your husband Brad dead yesterday. He must have fallen off trying to help you.”

“He tried to kill me.” I tell George bluntly

““You married Potter’s son. I thought Potter was rich and left it all to him when he died last year.”

“Henry Potter had some money but Brad squandered it all. Brad claimed his father was in debt at his death risky ventures. Somehow now I don’t believe that.” I reply annoyed

"So Brad married you for your money I suppose. That’s why we broke up high school I never wanted you to believe I only wanted you for your money.” George states “I always thought we were soulmates, but you just got married to Brad Potter, obviously you weren’t pining for me.”

“Oh George you foolish man you threw away thirty four years we could have been together.” I scold “George Bailey admit it you were a fool. I married Brad because he was young and he reminded me of you but obviously that was only skin deep.”

George takes me in his arms and hugs me tight.

“Mary Hatch I love you.” George replies “You are my moon and stars.”

“George lassos the moon.” I concede as his kiss then deepens muffling my speech.

     All this happened two days ago. I should have taken this road years ago. Here I am a newlywed again; married to my soul mate George Bailey what a great situation to be in.


©Sheilagh Lee  July 13 ,2011