Part 4

This is the final part, it's been a long time coming. I still don't have a title and very likely never will. I 'm just happy to have an end to this project but expect to start up something new very soon. Currently I'm considering re-writing my short story based as a side story to Tim O'Brien's The Things They Carried which was a project for my junior English class back in high school. A lot of my fellow students told me they enjoyed it and I enjoyed writing it. Tim O'Brien's novel is a really good read and I recommend it to anyone in order to see a good literary work on the Vietnam war.

Either way, this is the conclusion to my untitled short story. In my mind I went through multiple endings based on my emotions at the time of writing this but when I had a clear night I knew how I wanted this to end. Also to clarify these are definitely my thoughts and I had to pick a rational ending. Ask and I'll tell you some of my other takes on the ending. This is the shortest but most important part. I just hope you enjoy.

Part 3 of "Untitled Short Story"
By Chris Walker

Abby’s breaths seemed to become light panting. Her eyes were now looking at his lips then her eyes closed. Her head leaned in, cocked to the left. Matt made no resistance. This forever became the moment they first kissed. Both of their fantasies were coming true and their chemistry mixed with explosive efficiency. Their lust burned when kissing becoming something more passionate. Matt’s mind was frying. A few days ago this was a student in his class, now she was a lover. Abby’s mind however was frozen. She was finally with her older, manlier, gentleman. Her happiness was to begin. Kissing wasn’t enough. She wanted to be loved. She wanted to make love. Abby took off her sweater and shirt. Matt’s mind opened as well as his eyes.

His ears opened to the sound of Abby requesting, “Tell me you love me.” A moment of clarity struck Matt with the force of a sledgehammer. Matt’s breathing was accelerated, but his tongue was frozen stiff. A thousand or more thoughts raced through his head. He now knew the truth. When life begins to focus, nothing but clarity can be achieved. With his heart sunken deep into his stomach Matt said, “I… can’t.” Matt knew this was the right action to do although it was a lie. Of course Matt loved Abby but he didn’t want her to love him – not in this way. This love couldn’t be pure. A new perspective gave Matt the realization that Abby was a crutch. She was a metaphorical crutch that helped him deal with an inability to handle this world. He had only one question now. Was this truly the right thing to do? The answer came back the same as before.

Abby was taken back by Matt’s response. The hypnotic lust fogged her mind. His refusal to say the finishing key words broke the spell but only partially. Remembering Matt’s kindness made Abby lunge into his arms crying repeatedly, “Why, why, why, I love you; I love you. Why don’t you love me?” Matt was cornered and his only way out was the truth. If he told her the truth though, and the whole truth, he would leave himself more vulnerable than he ever had before in his life. If he truly loved Abby this wouldn’t be a problem.

“Let me apologize to begin with,” Matt stated. “I have just had an epiphany, a hell of an epiphany.” Matt laughed in disbelief of himself before continuing, “Abby, I care for you immensely. If my love were a river, the water of my feelings for you would flood until my river became an ocean. Life just sets rules. I can’t love you because you can’t love me. I’m your teacher and you’re my student. I’m thirty and you’re seventeen.” Abby’s red face gained a blue hue as she wanted to scream out all of her dreams of how age won’t matter when they’re older, but she remembers that now was the time for her to listen. Matt’s speech went on, “I don’t want you to think that I never thought about us, because I did. Only when I thought harder and deeper did I realized I was using you. I wasn’t trying to use you for something sexual but emotional purposes. Abby, I’m fucked up in the head! I’m neurotic, depressed, lonely, and fearful. When I am with you, all my flaws disappear. You make me forget about anything bad in the world… except for this. Then when I find you have your own troubles I actually felt good because you needed me. I didn’t think of myself as ugly or stupid or even as a depressed person. I felt like a hero, but now if I tell you what you want to hear will it really last? Were we really not just using each other? Abby you are a great person, truly. This romance just needs to stop, so we can finally stand.” Matt bowed his head and fell silent. He felt an immense pain in his chest. Through the stress he gave all of his effort to not appear weak.

Abby was still full of tears. Tiny creaks of eye water trailed down to her chin, but her sobbing was becoming quieter. In just one night she gained her heart’s desire and lost it. She wanted to scream but felt comfortable knowing that Matt was telling the truth. This whole relationship wasn’t a question of ethics or morals. This wasn’t a question of love or hate. This relationship was a question – a basis- of necessity. The “necessity” was a double entendre of people needing other people. Matt and Abby both needed each other in coping with insecurities and pressures of merely being. However, human beings also delight in being needed. This fact carried Matt and Abby’s love to an unrecognized level. Maybe that’s indeed all love is. Now enlightened, Abby couldn’t find the proper words she needed to speak. Her mind was engulfed in a whirlwind of thoughts and questions. She asked herself, “Did age play a role? Was this really even love? Is this the end?” No answers came.

Abby turned her head. The clock read two o’clock a.m. She mentioned the time and went to lie down in the guest room. Matt had just now lifted his head. A surrealistic sensation covered all of his actions, and he just wanted to escape all thought. He turned on the television. Regardless of how much he tried, his attention was locked on to the memories of this past week. He recalled his invitation to the party, meeting Abby’s mother, sitting on the bench, and the kiss. All the pieces made a holistic perspective on life. Abby was lying down, but Matt was awake. The television set was on CNN. Some news story broke out about fire. Matt decided against television and went to his table to catch up on the newspaper. The front page had a story about soldiers dying in the Middle East. Matt was in no mood for politics after this week. So, his last option was to turn on the radio. His ears caught a talk show about police brutality. Matt quickly turned off the whispering radio then bowed his head in thought.

His mind flew off from his room. The time for clarity had passed. His neurotic nature now left him questioning the essence of life itself. Was Abby a crutch for his personal disorders or for tragedies found in everyday living? In a world constantly devastated with famine, disease, disaster, crime, and nameless atrocities mustn’t everyone need a crutch bracing his or her soul with love and all of love’s magic. An earth shattering thought such as this was enough to comfort Matt into a good night’s sleep. Tomorrow he would face the day with or without Abby.

Part 3

This part is where it heats up. If you come across this make sure to share with others. This is the second to last part. Anyways, hope you enjoy and be sure to leave comments as always. Now, I just need to figure out what to do after the last part.


Part 3 of "Untitled Short Story"
By Chris Walker

The majority of the party goers being underage and Matt not being much of a drinker, he passed the time sipping Sprite and watching the event from the sidelines. Occasionally, Matt was approached by one of his students. He or she would strike up a conversation. The student would ask what Matt (Mr. Whelchel) was doing at the party or what the feeling was like to be partying with stupid teenagers again. Matt kept the discussion light-hearted and humorous. He never gave any true details of his intentions.

After ten or so discussion- and absolutely no dancing or much movement for that matter- Matt began to notice a peculiarity. Whenever he did notice Abby, she was on the floor no longer than ten minutes before disappearing only to re-emerge a few minutes later temporarily flustered. No one else took notice because of the obvious atmosphere of a party and Abby quickly altered her essence to a pleasant, welcoming aura as she typically had. However, Matt had never seen Abby become repeatedly agitated or even once agitated. He didn’t know how to address the situation so he remained stationary, being a wallflower through most of the party.

His unmoving position was eventually interrupted. A woman several years Matt’s senior surprised him at his table. The woman was only dressed in a short black dress with spaghetti straps and the skirt portion ended soon around the upper part of her thigh. The woman’s hair was dyed blonde, easily noticeable because her brunette roots were showing her parting middle. She was very attractive for her age, although older than Matt by a length she elderly at all. She leaned over his shoulder with a glass of red wine in her hand and she whispered in a sultry voice, “You must be Mr. Whelchel.”

Matt wasn’t surprised by the fact that she knew his name, but he curious to who this lady was. He placed his Sprite on the table and slowly turned to his new acquaintance. He was a little taken back by her surprising beauty but felt strangely more comfortable after noticing a dull look in her eyes. He nodded to answer her question and adjusted his face to look as attentive as possible.

Her sultry voice now sounded inebriated yet still comprehensible. “Abby is so glad you came o this party. She says you’re her favorite sub she’s ever had. She even said, ‘I wish he taught English all year.’ I think she has a little crush on you, Mr. Whelchel,” she slurred followed by a chuckle. Her fingers patted Matt on the shoulder, and the other hand raised her glass to her mouth. After a sip she continued, “Now that I see you, I can see why.” Her expression matched her voice: sultry and intoxicated. Matt could see other men enjoying this woman’s company but not himself. Her aura was fun and even familiar.

He had his guess towards this woman’s relationship to Abby but could not confirm his thoughts. At that moment, sitting blankly observing the detail of the lady standing before him, he received one more clue. Her eyes were the exact same shade of green as Abby’s. The likelihood of an aunt having the same shade were slim but a –

“Mom, what are you doing?” Abby shouted strutting towards the other two.

“Merely admiring the teacher you flatter so greatly,” Mrs. Woolridge replied.

Abby’s face faintly blushed. She mumbled a few words under her breath before saying, “I’m sure he doesn’t want your kind of admiration. I’m going totake him outside to see the rest of the decorations.”

Matt’s eyes bulged after hearing Abby criticize her own mother in such a manner. This tiff did solve a few mysteries to a certain percentage. Without hesitation Abby grasped Matt’s wrist and nearly drug him away from everything. Matt didn’t understand what he bore witness to, but he was beginning to already draw his own conclusions. The two found themselves outside on a stone bench under a tall oak tree. A few leaves clung to branches fighting to chill of late autumn. The red and yellow leaves mixed the appearance of the grass below the feet of the two humans surrounded in the seclusion of the outdoors.

Abby sat quiet staring at her feet. Matt turned his head to the left. Now, more than ever, he noticed how beautiful his student was. Her inner beauty was magnificent, but her outer beauty was amazingly equal. Abby’s skin was flawless. Her cheeks became rosy colored in cold and her lips were entirely kissable. Matt dreamt in that moment over twenty different approaches to a kiss. His dreams left a real taste in his mouth. When her eyes met his, he lost his breath and dropped his eyes.

“I’m sorry about my mom,” she said looking nervous and playing with her fingers. Abby had a flustered expression again. In school she never seemed to be easily embarrassed, but now her appearance matched the feeling of awkwardness she felt inside herself. To Matt all she appeared to be was human. Somehow faults attracted Matt and since Abby initially appeared perfect, he now knew the whole reason as to why he foolishly and entirely loved Abby. The only feelings more foolish than those were Abby’s enhanced love for Matt.

Abby’s most vulnerable side had been exposed. When Matt didn’t laugh or stay away in fear she felt comfortable and a great deal of overwhelming acceptance. She felt safe. In life people seem to only need to hear one sentence… everything will be fine. Matt was a walking example of that very sentence, at least in Abby’s eye. The two leaned into each other for a warm embrace. With her head bowed Abby whispered, “Thanks Matt.”

The day was still young. Abby went back inside and Matt followed. Now the party was more alive. Abby dragged Matt to every part of the festivities and introduced him to every person with which he was unfamiliar. All new acquaintances welcome Matt with a warm smile. Although a good party may seem mundane to some, Matt took solace in the comforting notion that he was somewhere he belonged. The best time came when Abby was allowed to open her gifts. Abby’s friends brought her cards, money, inexpensive jewelry, and even goofy socks (which Abby loved), but her favorite gift was indeed the one given to her by Matt. Reminiscent of the day he was invited to this event, Matt purchased an identical sweet to the one Abby’s friend Rose gave Abby before Rose left town. The only difference between the two sweaters was the new sweater was the exact same shade of green as Abby’s eyes. Everyone took notice and Abby’s face lit up almost taken back by the beauty of her gift. Abby adorned the sweater immediately and modeled it for the masses. Compliments rained down like star light. Abby ran to Matt to bestow a friendly hug and kiss upon his cheek. From there the night continued in that same joyous fashion.

Everyone felt high and had a genuinely great time. As day became dusk, dusk became night, and people began to leave, but Matt and a few others stayed. Abby’s mother made little appearance until the late hours of night. Her presence quickly became known. With a strut that physically matched her drunkenly slurred vocabulary, Ms. Woolridge approached Abby and Matt shouting, “It’s a real shame that I am envious of you two because what you two have is sick! You, Mr. Whelchel, with your perverted eyes, I should report you to the authorities and restrain you from ever going near my daughter!” Those lashing words were followed by a splash of red wine staining Matt’s shirt and wetting his face. Matt was so flabbergasted that he was rendered completely immobile.

Luckily, he didn’t have to take any action because Abby intervened. In a quiet storm Abby’s eyes struck Ms. Woolridge like lightning. “This party’s over,” Abby growled. With the same simplistic force she grabbed Matt’s hand and they trolled out together. All the witnesses stood paralyzed in awe. When the door closed behind Abby and Matt, the only movement was Abby’s remaining friends throwing away their cups and ambling to the exit.

Matt directed Abby back to his place as merely an attempt to escape what had just happened and to change clothes. Man’s nature did make sure he noticed the girl of his dream sitting before him on his couch. This wasn’t his fantasy though. In his imagination Abby would have been happy. In reality she looked melancholy. Matt tried to think of something to say, but his mind couldn’t muster one syllable. So, he remembered earlier when the two sat outside and how comfortable and natural the world was. The only logical approach to take was to sit down next to her. The two stood perfectly still matching breaths and sight of the carpet, but then their hands laced into one another’s. This moment was the epitome of their relationship.

Abby spoke, “Matt, I’m so happy to be here right now.” That statement left her tearful. Her emotions flooded out into a rambling, “I just can’t stand my mom; I want nothing to do with her. I don’t want to look at her or look like her. That’s why I spend so much time at school and work. The only reason for that party was because she ruined my sweet sixteen.. Oh Matt, if you didn’t come I don’t know what I would have done.” She buried her head into Matt’s chest letting out sobs and continued, “This wasn’t even the worst day, but I just couldn’t handle it. The way she treated you, looked at you, and – Matt please don’t make me go back.”

Matt just sat there. His mind was trying to make sense of all the events that lead up to this moment. Somehow he thought that he had all of the psychological issues. Abby was supposed to come along and save him from years of loneliness and depression. “Uhm, you can’t stay here as long as need be. Where is your father? Inform him so a guardian knows,” Matt told her in a calming coo. Abby nodded and dialed the phone before handing it to Matt. Abby’s father wasn’t surprised, and he didn’t know the tension of desire between Abby and Matt. Nothing was said to worry Mr. Woolridge, so there were no worries. Matt sat back down, turned to Abby and sighed out loud. Abby heard him and looked at his eyes. Her eyes caught a glimpse of his soul. She discovered all the personal details that made Matt’s life. She deduced his awkward nervousness, his insecurities, his good nature, and his loving heart. Somewhere in his eyes was a young high school boy that never left. Abby’s childish crush became a romantic love.