Hemingway Style Story

Winter was already coming quickly and the days had shortened so much that people began to remember its presence. The couple tried to enjoy as much of the day as they could, but usually overestimated the minutes they had before the street lights flickered on and the shadows of the buildings around them grew taller. These two were walking home from the train station in silence which wasn’t unusual since they were very comfortable with each other and they were both the type who never said things that needn’t be said. However, this time was different. The man sensed that something was wrong, and he was hesitant to ask her if she was alright. Finally he deemed it necessary and reached for her hand.
“What’s on your mind girlie?”
“Just thinking about your birthday.”
“My birthday? You don’t have to get me anything, and it just a month away.”
“A month ain’t that long.”
“I was thinking about getting you a new guitar.”
“Where are you going to get the money for that?”
“Yeah, I’m thinking about that too.”
Her shoulders seemed to slump hopelessly as she let go.
“These aren’t things you should worry about, sweet pea. You know there are much more important things than this. Relax. Today was a good day.”
They turned a corner and moved over the one side of the sidewalk as a helmet-less bicyclist passed. Before it reached them the cyclist changed her mind and switched from the sidewalk to the street. The woman slapped her ankle.
“Jeez!”
“What happened?”
“I think something bit me!”
She inspected her leg as a small red mound formed.
“That’s so weird; it’s the middle of fall!”
“Yeah, well there is always the occasional mosquito around.”
“I’ve been meaning to ask you something.”
“Shoot.”
“I wanted to know how your cousin was.”
“Alex? Or Tim?”
“Alexandra.”
“Fine. Why?”
“Well have you heard from her at all recently?”
“It’s been around two weeks or so.”
“Actually a month. Is that recent?”
“I suppose.”
He stared ahead the whole time, but she looked at him questioningly. She continued to be distracted by her ankle, but tugged on his sleeve.
“Why?”
“Didn’t you say she was diagnosed with osteoporosis or something?”
“Yeah. That was a while ago.”
“That’s absolutely terrible. She’s so young.
“Too young in fact.”
“See? You should be worrying about things like that. Those are the type of things that should be on your mind. Don’t waste your time on silly things like what to get me for my birthday. That’s just nonsense.”
“Excuse me?”
“I’m just saying that your six-year-old cousin being diagnosed with osteoporosis is much more important that anything right now.”
“Hey! It’s not like I haven’t been thinking about that! It’s been driving me mad actually! Is it a crime to think about anything else?”
“I never said that! I only meant that my birthday should be the farthest thing from your thoughts.”
“Well.”
“Thinking about things doesn’t necessarily solve them, asshole.”
She leaned over to scratch her ankle.
“Whoa, hey! Where did this come from? I made a simple statement to lessen your load.”
“Yes, but now you’ve just pissed me off!”
“Thinking about the imminent death of Alex is much better than a gift for you!”
He whirled around and faced her for the first time. She was crying.
“Why are you acting like this?”
Silently, she gently pushed him away and crossed the street, heading towards the train station. He stood there wordless, dumbfounded, and walked home, defeated.