Random: Another Day for Tina

To kick off my birthday month, I've decided to write a piece about that random article of clothing that you see when driving down the road. Every time I see that random shoe, button-down shirt, or ripped jeans lying on the side of the road, I always wonder what the story is behind it all. Hence, for all those curious minds out there, I'm here to give the story behind that random closet piece lying on the side of the road.

Tina's day was long. She'd awake in the morning at 5am, eat breakfast, make an hour long commute to work a ten hour work day, head home an hour later, cook dinner for her four kids and stoic husband, clean up then go to bed to wake up and do it all again.

This day, Tina awoke at 5:30am. She forcefully opened her eyelids and wiped the dried up sleep around her mouth. Her inexplicably warm and comfortable bed sheets made a failed attempt at tempting her to stay for another half hour; caress the snooze button like it meant to be caressed. She refused. She grudgingly dragged herself to her bathroom to wash her face. The tired out, sullen woman that stared back at her in the mirror appeared foreign to her. Nevertheless, she combed her hair back, half-heartedly brushed her teeth, then slipped into a simple work dress.
When she opened her refrigerator door, her head dropped as the empty egg containers and two strips of bacon haughtily greeted her. This morning would have to be a dry cereal and buttered toast day. She fixed six plates around the breakfast table and waited for her family to stroll in. As if the sun simply awaited their arrival, her kitchen lit up with the appearance of her three boys, blossoming daughter, and her working husband. They filed in and took their seats around their meals.

"Good morning, all." Tina said.

They all greeted her with quiet groans and lazy nods. Her children eyed their questionable breakfasts and sighed.

"Where's the food?" asked her youngest son. Her older sons eyed the youngest, silently wondering how he'd have the gull to question their mother so early in the morning. Still, they turned their heads to Tina with eyes that asked the same question.

"I forgot to go grocery shopping," she responded. Her daughter rolled her eyes and folded her arms across her chest.

Her husband sucked his teeth and pushed his plate away. "Are you serious?" he asked. "I have a meeting today. How am I supposed to remain focused with nothing to fuel my jets?"

"I have coffee on the pot."

Tina's husband stared her down and opened his mouth to respond to her weak attempt at pacifying his hunger. "We're gonna head to school early," interrupted her eldest son. "We can grab something extra to eat there." Her children gladly pushed their plates away and escaped the awkward moment shared between two over-worked, underappreciated parents.

Tina nodded and smiled, slightly. "Have fun at school," she said. They all nodded as they rushed out the door in pursuit of their bus stop. Tina gazed at her dry corn flakes and buttery wheat and then back up at her husband. He never took his eyes off her. In the beginning, he couldn't stop staring because her beauty captivated him. She was a walking personification of beauty and all he could do was stare. Now, he glared at the broken woman she's become. Forgetful, senile, unattractive, and weak.

He took a deep breath then stood up from the table. He grabbed a mug from the cabinet behind Tina and poured himself a gulp of coffee. No sugar, no cream, just a hard swallow of brewed coffee beans. After taking a glance out the window and watching the sun cascade over his freshly cut lawn, he placed his coffee mug on the stove and licked his lips. "I'm leaving you," he said. He waited for her to comment, she sat silently without turning to face him. "I've been seeing another woman and I've finally garnered the courage to leave this marriage and start a real life with the woman I truly desire to be with." Tina pushed her plate of food away. Suddenly, she had lost her will to eat dry cereal and toast that morning as well. Her husband continued, "I don't want to drag this out. The sooner we end this, the sooner I can get on with my life." He sighed when he noticed his wife shaking. He grabbed his keys from atop the kitchen table and headed for the door. Before walking out he offered a few words of encouragement, "Don't worry, I'm sure you'll find someone desperate enough to love you back." Without another word, he dipped out of their quaint home and drove away from her misery.

On her commute to work, Tina drove slower than usual. No rush to get to a job she loathed. Yes, she had to be careful not to lose her job with the lack of income her husband once provided. Still, she had good reason. Her hands shook as she gripped her steering wheel. Soon she'd be approaching the bridge that separated her from her employer's parking lot. She contemplated taking the long way. Bypassing the bridge and utilizing the back roads to reach her job. However, traffic was tight and she couldn't find the logic in cutting through five lanes of traffic.

The radio was off. No need to hear the rushed murmurs of the narcissistic djs who loved the sounds of their voices. She rolled the windows down to let the cool breeze hit her face. Soon, the pure aroma of the ocean tapped her nostrils. She smirked. She loved how the son peaked over the horizon and waved hello to her. The passive presence of the cars around her signaled to the uselessness of a husband who didn't love her anymore. The absent frown lines on her face suggested that she was still beautiful. Love would only be around the corner. She unlocked her doors and unbuckled her seat belt. Upon cutting through two lanes, she found herself peaking over the edge to watch the gentle waves beat against the bridge’s walls. She slowed down a little more and smiled. The first real smile she's had in years.

Tina removed her sweater as the cool breeze turned into a warm mist. She studied the fine detail of the sweater in her arms while stopped in traffic. Extravagant knit work, unique embroidery, and soft feel. Her husband had great taste. She wore that same sweater every day since he gave it to her for their twentieth wedding anniversary. She shook her head as she couldn't help but chuckle. She should've known those late nights weren't spent working over piles of paperwork. She squeezed the cotton blend in her hands then threw it out the window.

She sat there for a moment gripping the steering wheel, smiling. Then, Tina stepped on the brakes and rammed the car in front of her. Upon doing that she made enough room for her to reverse and crash through the edge of the bridge propelling her over the wall that stood between her and real freedom. Tina took a deep breath and laughed at how she forget to set her alarm the night before. She couldn't help but think how her day would've ended if she had awaken at 5am instead of 5:30.