THE LAST LEMON

Dark clouds filled the sky, and a cool breeze pushed through the air. A man stood in the kitchen, pouring water into a kettle when the sound of the front door opening came from behind him. The door slammed, rattling the kitchen, and water spilled out of the kettle. A small woman stomped inside wearing a blue raincoat.

“Hey, how was work?” he asked.

“I didn’t go to work. I had an interview,” the woman sighed. She put her keys in her pocket and walked to her bedroom.

“Well, how was the interview?” he asked.

“It was fine. I got the part,” she scoffed.

Sounds of drawers opening and closing drifted into the kitchen. Low thunder rumbled, and a light drizzle pattered against the windows.

“Wow, it’s about to come down on us, huh?” The old kettle whistled as the man poured boiling water into a yellow cup and a ceramic mug. “This was for the job in California, right?” he asked.

“Mhm. It sure is,” she exclaimed.

“Your tea is ready—just how you like it!” he said proudly. He grabbed his mug and took a sip. “Oooh, that’s hot! Well, are you going to take the job? You know I don’t like the heat,” he added.

The woman walked out of the room, glaring at him.

“What?” he smirked.

The drizzle turned into pouring rain, and the woman pointed to her cup.

“What’s this?” she asked.

“Your tea?” he said, confused. “Take a sip—you’ll like it.”

“No!” She marched back into the room and came out with bags in her arms.

“Why do you have bags with you? Okay, come on, calm down,” he said, trying to pull the bags out of her arms.

“Did you put lemon in my tea?” she yelled.

“No—just a little honey,” he said. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead. “You’re doing all of this over tea?”

“You don’t listen to me! We’ve been together for three years, and you still don’t know how I like my tea?” she cried.

“Oh, calm down. I listen to you. Remember for your birthday I got you that red skirt?” he said desperately.

She stared at him, eyes twitching and brows furrowed. Water dripped from her raincoat onto her blue shoes.

“Look at you, you’re getting water all on the floor.” He grabbed some towels and cleaned up the puddles. “How could you try and leave me right now when things are so good for you? We have everything we want. What would they think if you just left right now?”

The woman was stunned, still standing there with wide eyes, staring at the gray door in front of her. Thunder struck behind her, and tears fell from her eyes.

“I don’t want to do this anymore,” she whispered.

Kioni Dumas is from the heart of Atlanta. She loves creating fun stories and would love to create some for you. Follow her on Instagram @kiooonii.