He waited until he felt her leave the room, and then he opened his eyes to the new morning. So much had changed. So much was different about him and he hadn’t yet gathered the courage to share it with her. There was such a stigma about people like him… He didn’t want to risk ruining what they had until he was sure his new passion wouldn’t quickly fade away.
It felt wrong to respond in kind when she said she loved him, but he said it anyway. He wasn’t happy that he wasn’t ready to trust her with his secret, but that didn’t diminish the affection he had for her. He still loved her. He didn’t want to risk losing her over a silly hobby gone awry, but months had passed and the passion and talent had only grown stronger. At the same time the guilt over keeping the secret had expanded exponentially too. The time had come to tell her the truth and let her decide if she still loved him and would stay, or… Well, he didn’t want to think about that.
Telling her simply wouldn’t do though. Too many people went around claiming to be something they weren’t. No, he had to show her what he had learned. He had to prove his talent. Perhaps, too, he had to show himself that he had outgrown his hobby days and was ready to take it to the next level.
He hoped she would understand.
He hoped she wouldn’t judge him.
He hoped she would forgive him for keeping that part of his life secret for as long as he had.
He hoped she would stay. And, if she didn’t, he hoped he had the fortitude to carry on anyway. To continue to pursue his new love as vibrantly, as chaotically, as he had been. If he lost both, he wasn’t sure what would become of him.
She returned home at her normal time and he ushered her into the living room with hushed tones and subdued, vague, mentions of something he had to show her. She was worried, of course, because he had been acting strangely recently. He’d been more hesitant, more distant. But, she showed a brave face and followed him. Whatever it was, she was sure they could work through it together. They were a good team.
He motioned for her to sit on the couch, and she did, legs crossed, arms folded across her laps. Her face was pinched with questions and suspense. He could see her temples darkening as her jaws clenched, and knew that meant he only had a small amount of time to show her the truth before she’d begin barraging him with questions.
So, he stepped back, somewhat embarrassed, blushing in a shade that matched her temples, took a few deep breaths to calm his nerves, and then showed her everything.
She gasped. She held her breath. She flinched. She clung to the couch in nervous anticipation. She didn’t utter a word until he was done. Then, one eyebrow raised, her head slightly tilted to the right, “So…?”
He had performed better than expected. His faith in his abilities was founded and he was able to reply with complete calm, “I’m a magician.”
“I can see that,” she said as she rose to stand next to her husband. “And, what’s going on in that head of yours? What are you going to do with this talent?”
He smiled, and she returned the smile. “I’m not sure yet. I think it… I know it could take us places. I know I shouldn’t waste it. But…” his voice trailed off as he looked down to the tools of his trade: the deck of cards, the hat, the wand, the scarves, the tricks, the mirrors, the smoke.
“But?”
“To make it to Vegas, I’m going to need an assistant in my act…”
They did make a great team.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
This bit of silliness was written for this week’s We Drink Inspiration Short Story Prompt:
Your challenge this week is to write a character that possesses a secret, one that can harm or benefit ones they care for, depending on the circumstances the story arc takes – your job is to determine which will be the case. The only rule of this challenge is to leave no obvious hints to said secret until the end of the piece.
…..
So…? Double twist? Did you think it was going to be magic or something more sinister? And then did you think I meant sorcery at first, rather than slight of hand and smoke and mirrors?
Loved it! I was definitely thinking sorcery, some kind of darker magic. I love the fun play with this. Amazing work, as always. *This message has been approved by the Royal Seer.
OoO, official Royal Seer approval? How awesome is that?!
Glad you liked it. Glad the twists worked out okay!
They were great! You are a fantastic storyteller.
*bows*
Thank you. 😀
I thought maybe he was going the exotic dancer route. I am glad it was just magic!
Exotic dancer?!
Hahaha, well… why not. They could probably work that into their Vegas routine… it’s called “the strip” for a reason.
I, too, thought you were going for stripper, what with the performance in front of the couch haha. Really great suspense right up until the reveal!
Hahaha. Oh my, what does it say about me that I hadn’t even thought of that … the performance in front of the couch! Or, what does it say about my readers?! 😉
I was on the edge of my seat with all sorts of things running through my mind…snakes being one of them. Very well done!
Snakes!!
No… The Queen would never put up with that. Even if the people in this story aren’t us (which they aren’t), she can’t even read that word… and so if I want her to read my silly stories I have to avoid it…
In fact, I should probably delete these comments.
ahaha! so I guess she hasn’t seen the pics of my “S” on fb?
I saw them! 😀
I declined to show them to The Queen though.
ignore my last question..lol
Yeah if she doesn’t like snakes don’t show her. I love them but since I got bit by my girl I’m having a lot of trouble getting back to holding her.
She bit you?
Ouch… I wonder what triggered that.
Though, just because they are tame most of the time, doesn’t mean they still don’t have some wild in them. That’s definitely how I feel about my cats.
One of them has gone for my throat twice. Now I’m never as relaxed when she is purring on my lap as I used to be.
I thought you knew that she struck me. She did. It’s all my fault though. They don’t strike unless they are really scared or something hurt them, or we smell like her food. It’s not a good idea to hold them after they eat. It’s best to wait 24 hours. I didn’t do that. Not only that I had taken her out of her tank and brought her upstairs and was trying to put my shoes on. She was freaking out. I tried to get her to a place on me where she would calm down and in process she struck. I don’t know if she was just scared or if something hurt her. Now I panic when I hold her if she’s not totally calm.
Oh man, I hate to say this but I’m so not fond of cats either for the very reason you describe. I’m sorry that you’re not relaxed with the one as you used to be. It sucks eh?!
My snake used to be calming for me, now she’s not.
No, I must have missed that… Dang. Probably freaked you both out a bit, … more than a bit.
I hope you can get back to where she is calming for you.
Sure did. She bit right through my tattoo…lol It happens so fast I didn’t even feel it at first, I was just shocked. I hope I can too.
Yeah, when they strike, they are like lightning. None of that slow-mo movie stuff. 😉 I haven’t been bitten, but I’ve seen it happen, and it’s pretty gnarly…
I’m sure, given enough time, for you to heal and for her to regain her calm with you, you’ll get there. Because… there is hope. 😉
So true. I should send you video of a feed!
There is hope. 😉
A video?? Of a feed??
Well… that could be terrifying and fascinating…
Let me know if you’re interested in seeing one.
Sure, why not.
hoky dokey
artichokie?
you’re funny
Um…
Duh?
Cuz, Jester!
oh yeah true that! you HAVE to be funneh
Yep. It’s in my contract. I get fired if I don’t bring it.
Well you’re bringin it!
Woohoooo!!
Just so you have full info to decide. We feed frozen thawed not live.
That’s fine.
Snakes don’t bug me… though, the bigger snakes wouldn’t be my first choice for a pet. I’d rather have something like a sidewinder, or CA King, or a red racer…
Wow really? Did you see the pics of my girl?
Love that she accepted him for who he was!
It wouldn’t have been love, otherwise, right?
Right! Enjoyed the story!
Hooray! I’m glad you did.
Darn, I was imagining River Dancing! ☺
And her response, “I hope you find one.” And she turned an walked out of the room. He paused for a moment and then said aloud, ” I AM a magician. I made HER disappear!”
Sorry, at my age I am a bit jaded!
Hahahaha
I was definitely thinking of something along those lines. But I have received requests from a certain person for me to write “happier” things…
Of COURSE we thought it was going to be something more sinister because that’s the road you lead us down, you trickster. Springsteen has a great song about being paid, “A king’s ransom for doing what come naturally.” I wish. We all wish.
We do all wish, and some lucky few get exactly that. Perhaps one day I’ll be paid to write … and then I would be one of those lucky few.
I didn’t know what to expect. I fell for your distraction and wasn’t looking when you pulled the magician rabbit out of your hat…
*rubs palms together* Marvelous! 😀
Fun story! Yeah I was thinking stripper / pole dancer too, although I knew that you were messing with me and it was going to be something different in the end, haha!
What can I say, I like messing with my readers. 😉 Shoot, now I’m going to have to write s tory with a stripper in it just because it seems that’s what you all want!
Is that what we want from you… or expect from you? (>.>)
Both… probably. But, only you can answer that question.
I’m obviously the only one who’s spent too much time reading blogs of people going through the process to becoming a published author, because I thought he was going to show her his first novel in print or something… I think my hashtag for this comment is: #needstogetoutmore
Hahaha, sure, maybe… but, what a wonderful world to live in. All those people getting published, that’s fantastic.
And such a nicer thought than most of my readers thought was going on.
Maybe I should sell guided tours of my brain?
Hmm. How do I say, “That seems like a good source of revenue,” without it sounding bad…?
😉
Like that. Only thing is, it might be a bit difficult to coordinate. I might just have to blog instead!!
That seems simpler, but, less rewarding for your wallet…
As a novice in a religious community, the money wouldn’t come to me personally anyway. It would go to the Order, which would be useful, but I think blogging would be better. You never know, my blog may even persuade someone to join OHP… (I live in hope)
Hope is always a good thing. 😀
And, I assumed the Order’s wallet, when I said wallet.
But, yeah, blogging is good!
Well, it’s 9pm here so please forgive me for not realising what you meant – I have been awake since about 5am today! Blogging will definitely be happening and hopefully this week, it just depends on having some time in the days,
Nothing to forgive!
I was just being silly, anyway… you know me. 😉
Yes. But silly is good. I’m going to put my tablet to bed now, before I fall asleep on it!
Good night!