Red Water

"Charlie...darling...what are you doing?"

"Kelly, I'm leaving you. You need too much from me. You're suffocating me. I'm gone."

I had no idea I was "suffocating" him. He never said anything like that before. We were going to be married in a month and all of a sudden he wanted to leave me? I do not know if I cried so hard I laughed or laughed so hard I cried, but both came in close succession. I was infuriated with him, hurt by him, in love with him, and so many other feelings that i doubt even have names.

However, eventually I moved on. He had a place in the back of my mind even after he had no place in my heart. Every once in a while I would close my eyes and his face would lazily float up to my concious thought. At first his face brought an ache to my heart, but as time wore on it brought only anger. I became convinced he had never loved me, had only been with me for the sex, had run off and found another lover, had wanted my money. The possibilities ran through my head, all the normal things a man may be after in a woman.

Soon after he left, I sold the house we lived together in and bought one by the sea. I had a beautiful view of the coast from the living room, especially since the outside wall was completely glass. It was the west face of the house that overlooked the coast, which meant that I could watch the sun set over the water. Whenever Carlie's face surfaced I would look out onto the coast. Looking out at the coast seemed to calm me, and I always had the urge to invite Charlie to this house. At the time I thought it was because I wanted to rub my independance in his face. After all, he said I needed from him.

A number of years had passed since Charlie left me when I saw him one day with another young lady on his arm. Somehow this made me angry. At first I thought I was jealous of the girl, but I realized I wanted to protect her from the fate I suffered. I approched Charlie. It was awkward, probably most awkward for the young lady who's name was Sarah. In the end I did invite Charlie to my house on the coast, asking Sarah to come as well but hoping with all my heart that she wouldn't. She didn't.

A week after running into Charlie, he rang my door bell. He was dressed up in a shirt and a tie, apparently hoping to impress me. I had made a light dinner of alfredo pasta and baked chicken. We had a semi-cheap Pinot Noir with dinner, then I led him into the living room. The sun was about to set and I let him see the view. All of a sudden the idea came to me, more an impulse than anything.

"Charlie, let's go out and watch the sun set on the beach." I practically pleaded in my best little girl voice.

I grabbed his hand and led him out and down to the beach. The sun was setting now and the water was pink. I kissed him on the beach. I didn't do it because I loved him or wanted him anymore, again it was on impulse. I kissed him and lead him into the water. We stood there looking like two lovers, kissing and kissing as the sun set. The sea was turning red now, because of the sunset, and Charlie screamed into my mouth. It seemed as if he was in agony. I broke the kiss and looked down. It looked as if the water was eating away at him.

I laughed at his pain. I stepped away from him, smiling. It was like the water was taking all the anger I had saved up and was doing something with it. The flesh of his legs seemed to be melting off. If I had thought any more about it I would have been sick, but somehow I was giddy. He looked at me and begged.

"Please Kelly...Please help me." He was having trouble speaking through his screams.

"You need me too much Charlie, you're suffocating me."

He looked at me, shocked. I had echoed the words he said to me. He was crying, telling me he didn't mean it, he'd take me back.

"I don't need you anymore Charlie, not any more."

I knew his face wouldn't haunt me anymore. I pushed him down into the water and walked back up to the house. I slept fine that night. I still live in the house. Sometimes I wonder what happened to Sarah but I know she's better off without him.