TYLER PATRICK - THE TRYST

Tyler Patrick is a writing student at Full Sail University. He has attended the Creative Writing for the Entertainment Industry degree program since January of 2019. In his spare time, he writes, films, edits, and stars in the YouTube channel “JourneysintoAdventures” which focuses on book reviews and the writing process. Patrick currently lives in Central Florida with family and 5 pets.

The Tryst ​

    Taking a long drag off her cigarette, leaving lipstick stains on the filter, Dinah places her hand on Arthur’s knee. Her touch startles him.
    “What’s on your mind, handsome?”
    “Nothing. Just thinking, darlin,” Arthur said.
    “What’s to think about? We’re finally together.”
    “I know. It’s been too long. I just can’t stop thinking about her.”
    “Who? Your wife? You’re here with me, Arthur. Not her. Don’t ruin the mood. It’s lovely here.”
Arthur points to the stained carpet and out of date bed dressings.
    “You call this lovely?”
    “I’m with you, that’s all that matters to me,”
     “She used to say things like that,” Arthur said, staring down at the tarnished ring on his finger, twisting it around.
    “Oh, would you stop it already. You’re mine tonight,” Dinah said, leaning over the table, exposing her exaggerated cleavage. The air thickens with Avon perfume and bargain cigarettes as she moves closer to him. 
    “I guess you’re right,” Arthur said. “I just don’t know where things went wrong.”
He grips his glass of whiskey and downs the brown liquor. 

    “Mmm, there’s going to be plenty of wrong tonight. You’ll love it though,” Dinah said. Her voice is a purr as she grabs Arthur and kisses him. He pushes her away. Wiping his mouth and pouring another drink. 
    “Not yet,” he said. “I just need a little time.”
    “What the hell, Arthur? I want you, but you can’t expect me to wait around all night.”
    “We’ve waited this long, what’s another few minutes?”
Putting another cigarette between her lips, Dinah slinks back into her chair, crossing her legs. She shows her youth through her pouting.
    “Whatever. I just don’t see what your problem is. I’m younger, hotter, and do things she’s never even dreamed of.”
    “That may be true,” Arthur said.
    “Oh, it is. You know it, too. That’s why we’re here in the first place. Don’t try to deny it. You want me and I want you. What’s so complicated about it?”
Another look at the tarnished gold ring on his finger sends Arthur pacing around the room. His loafers scratching across the rough carpet.
    “I’ve never done this before. 20 years and I’ve never once thought about being with another woman. Then you walk into my life. I want you, Dinah, but I’m just having a hard time wrapping my head around all this.”
    “You really know how to turn a woman on. Bring her to a cheap motel and then talk about your wife all night.”
    “Five minutes ago, it was lovely, now it’s a cheap motel?”
    “Five minutes ago, you weren’t rambling on about that old hag.”
Arthur slams his fists down on the table, spilling the liquor bottle and sending the cheap ashtray into the air. It crashes and pings across the floor, sending a trail of ash and embers behind it.
    “Don’t you ever talk about her like that!”
Without a flinch, Dinah is on her feet and in Arthur’s face. Her voice is now a hiss. 
    “Or what, Arthur? You’re not going to sleep with me? You’re already not doing that!”
    “You’re right, I’m not sleeping with you. This was a mistake. I should have known it before. I’m no saint, but I know when something is wrong. I want you, but I love her.”
    “The mistake tonight is you walking away. You’ll never get someone like me again. You’ll never get me again!”
    “Go work your daddy issues out with someone else. I’m going home.”
Arthur see’s her hand coming but can’t react. It collides into his cheek with a resonating “smack!”
    “Oh, fuck off, Arthur,” Dinah said, tears of rejection filling her eyes.
    “You too, Dinah.”
With her cursing behind him, Arthur grabs his jacket and walks out of the room. Closing the door behind him, blocking Dinah’s thrown liquor bottle, he grabs his phone and dials. The sight of his ring glistening in the light brings a smile to his face.
    “Yeah honey, it’s me. Business meeting is over early. I’m on my way home… I love you.”


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