You decide to make pancakes for breakfast today after not eating one for years.
As you make the batter, you are reminded of the last time you ate pancakes. You and her were sitting at the table, eating silently. Suddenly, she puts down her fork firmly.
“Peter,” she says. “I have something to say.”
You keep quiet and continue eating, bracing yourself for it.
“I am tired. Of living my life like this. You know, I always thought I was the quintissential housewife; loyal to a man for my whole life. Doing the same thing everyday, cleaning, cooking.”
She takes a deep breath, as if to calm her nerves.
“I realized that I am actually an adventurous sort. And I get bored easily. I guess I’ve always been that way, it’s just that all these years I mistook it as being lazy and not having the initiative to continue with something I started.”
She stopped and looked at you. You were eating silently, feeling her eyes boring into you but you didn’t want to look at her.
“So, what do you propose?” you ask without looking up.
“I am going to leave you,” she said firmly.
You were both together for over five years. A year ago, she moved in with you. You always noticed the sense of detachment in her eyes, but you tried to deny it by working harder. Working later, and later, avoiding her.
“Okay,” was all you said.
The smell of burning pancakes reached your nose. You jumped up, and realized that you’ve been dreaming for too long. You quickly soak the pan in water, but your desire for pancakes had vanished.
You sit at the table and pick up today’s paper. As you flipped through it, a story caught your eye. It was a small article, tucked away in the midst of major accidents and fires. You could’ve easily missed it, but the inset picture made you notice. It was her.
A 25 year old woman was found dead with several stab wounds in her apartment this morning.
