The Grass is Greener
by John Holmes
Steve recognises Jill’s voice before he sees her. She’s over in the far corner, sitting on a high, brown stool. A ‘Fifty Today’ sash is clinging precariously to her jiving shoulders. He watches her slide off the seat and shimmy to the centre of the crowd. During their three years of marriage, Steve can’t remember her ever looking that happy.
A few years ago, he’d left Jill for Carol, a girl in administration. Then he’d met Jayne,
who seemed to be the one until he was tempted by Theresa: Steve’s never ending
quest to find ‘the best’. Today, he wonders if he’s witnessing it now. Is it beaming from her eyes, lighting up the perfect path to follow?
Steve places his half-empty glass on the table and silently mouths, ‘Happy Birthday’.
Looking down at the floor, he edges around the circle of dancers and heads back to
his lodgings.
John specialises in short bike rides and even shorter pieces of writing.
This story was shortlisted in the January 25 Monthly Micro Competition.