Ready or Not

by Sarah
(Perth)

(Daily Writing Prompt #999)

The room smelled clean but it didn't feel it. It was empty: not a chair, or a coat-hanger, or even curtains. But it felt full; full of memories and dust. The double windows opposite the door had been left open, letting in the hot, dry air; it was mid-summer and the heatwaves had hit a new level of intensity. Lloyd felt his palm sweating on the door-knob. It seemed to him now that the act of letting it go and stepping forward into the room, would be the final axe coming down on the ties that bound him to another life: the life before this. He wasn’t sure if he was even ready. He reached for the mobile in his shorts pocket and hit speed dial.
‘Hello?’
‘Sonia, it’s me. Lloyd.’
‘I know it’s you, Lloyd. Your name comes up on my screen.’
‘Right.’
‘What’s going on? You sound nervous.’
Lloyd glanced over his shoulder as if someone might be listening to his conversation. The hallway was empty and still.
‘Have I made a mistake? Coming here?’
There was a long pause on the line.
‘Son—?’
‘I’m still here. What do you mean, a mistake? I can’t believe we’re having this conversation again.’
‘Please don’t be angry. I just needed to hear your voice.’
‘Is this what it’s going to be like? Calling me up all the time just to hear my voice?’
‘You’re angry.’
‘I’m not angry. I’m busy, that’s all.’
‘Busy. Right. The reason we had to break up.’
Another long pause and then finally: ‘We’re not doing this now, Lloyd. Call me back when you’ve settled in. Are you even settled in yet? Give it a chance. You’ve got to give it time.’
Lloyd let the phone drop away from his mouth, and stared around the room again.
‘You’re right. I guess. Time heals all...’
‘Bye Lloyd.’
‘Okay.’
‘Wait…Lloyd?’
Lloyd pressed the phone hard against his ear and closed his eyes. ‘Yes?’
‘We didn’t have to break up. It was a choice. One we made together. Remember?’
Lloyd exhaled and opened his eyes to the empty room. ‘Yes. I remember.’