Dust in the Attic

Don't laugh, please.

ID: 1074787   (Rated: E) Dust in the Attic  contest, dialogue attempt, family, love, marriage, divorce by Hippie chick

Dust in the Attic

“We're calling it quits after a mere twenty years of marriage,” said Jana while on the phone with her best friend, Denise. “You know it's time to move on since the children are grown. Tim and I have grown apart; ironic, isn't it? The children are grown and we've grown apart! I dread going into that dusty attic. I keep thinking about making a song about it.” added Jana. “There maybe a little dust in the attic but don't let it fool you about what's inside.”

Jana heard footsteps approaching near the ladder that entered into the attic. Tim was supposed to meet her here this afternoon. Jana thought it's probably Tim, he's a little early. Finishing quickly she said, “Denise, I think I'll have to let you go. I think Tim is here already. I'll call you as soon as we get done cleaning up the attic of all the horrible mess of memories! You know, I've been saying I was going to do all those scrapbooks but never did. Bought all the materials then quit when I got so depressed.”

Denise said in a hurried voice, “Bye, Jana. I hope he doesn't catch us talking. You know what a control freak he is.”

“Oh, don't worry about it, Denise. The marriage is over any way,” Jana said as she breathed a sigh of relief at seeing Tim.

Click, the phone was dead. Just like the marriage thought Jana.

“Hey Jana! See you’re up to your old tricks. You just can't help telling the whole neighborhood about our business. That's been a lot of what's wrong with this marriage from the beginning. Ask the kids about it, they'll tell you,” said Tim. He thought this is the worst. All the guys at work will be hounding me; asking questions about stuff that wasn't any of their business and he just wasn't in the mood to talk about him and Jana's personal problems. Jana was a different story, always was sitting in “R” as in ready.

“Oh, Tim, just shut up! You're always trying to blame me or someone else with our problems. Like you didn't spend our first years with your hunting buddies. I'll bet you were hunting deer the two legged kind,” Jana said with a sarcastic tone in her voice.

“Forget it, Jana! I'm not fighting with you today. Let's get in that attic and wipe the slate clean. I'm ready. Nothing but bad memories up there any way,” said Tim.

Jana climbed the stairs as Tim followed close behind her. He caught a scent of her perfume one of his favorite when they were dating. I'll bet she did that on purpose thought Tim. She did smell good and after all these years those legs of hers were beautiful, firm and tanned. Jana always looked like she had nylons on thought Tim.

First box was Christmas decorations. Jana said, “There's no need to go through that box. There's so many decorations in all these boxes there's enough for us and the kids, too!”

“That's right. How many years did I have to go with the kids and cut the biggest top out of a cedar tree just so every one would love the tree at Christmas?” Tim said with a grin he couldn't hide. Those Christmases were the best time in his life. He never knew a Christmas with presents. Now he knew a big difference since Jana was an only child, only grandchild and only niece. She was spoiled and that was probably a lot of their problems.

Tim escaped for a minute and thought about his family growing up. Always the alcohol and drugs, Dad's, beatings, and never stopped. It was really tough when Dad died and he had to quit school and take over being the man of the family. Seems like he was never free.

Jana replied to Tim but he was in a gaze. Off in his own world again she thought. Jana's voice became a little louder, “Tim, those were the good ole days. Remember how excited the children were when the tree was up? They always wanted me to turn on the Christmas lights before they went to school.”

Tim was looking in another box. “Look Jana, here's a picture of us on our honeymoon at the beach. See the sailboat in the backround out in the Gulf?”

Jana put her hands up to her neck to touch the beautiful gold charm that Tim had gave her on their first anniversary. A gold sailboat. Everyone loved it because it was so unique. “Let me see that?” Jana looked away from Tim a tear in her eye.

Their eyes meet in a long glance. Tim said, “Jana, are you sure we're doing the right thing? After twenty years, don't you think we owe it to ourselves and the children to try again?”

Jana looked up with the tears unable to stop. “Oh, Tim how did we get this way?”

“I think we both got busy with our jobs, the kids, and our families that we didn't stop and pause to take the times for our relationship.”

Jana reached over and touched Tim's hand. “I'm sorry. I think we both need to start out on a new leaf. Let's plan a couple of date nights a week to get reacquainted?”

Tim replied, “Let's start now on the dating and just not stop! I will never stop loving you, Jana.”

Oh, Tim, I love you too. Let's go for a walk in the woods. Nature has it's way of bringing every thing back to life. Even our love.”