April wrote a note an put it in my lunch box. Apearantly she's had second thoughts:

(13:00:23) you didn't read the note did you?
...
(13:00:27) no
(13:00:35) did you ripe it up?
(13:00:39) yes

I didn't actually distroy the note, but I haven't read it yet. I'm curious as to what she said. 

I finished my homework assignment which was to complete this story. I've given the character's names, it makes it easier. Both are female sounding names, but it wasn't intended to be a lesbian affair, although for the purpose of the assignment, it doesn't matter what gender the characters are:

The Story of the Couple Who Lost Their Zing

Once upon a time there were two people who loved each very much, Élan and Joie D'Vivre. They had zing in their relationship. They played a lot and did it often and with great passion. They touched, kissed, laughed, and cuddled. But as time marched on, they developed a lot of things to do in their life. They got jobs, bought a house, had kids, bought lots of stuff which occupied their time, and pretty soon they were left with no time for themselves or each other. Also a lot of difficult things happened to them: money problems, health problems, family problems, and kid problems all piled up. And they got caught in nasty patterns of negative interaction so common to couples having problems. All of these things sapped the energy right out of them and they lost their zing and could hardly talk anymore.
For years they walked around just getting by, with their bodies half asleep. In the end, they became so tired their bodies fell completely asleep even though they themselves were still awake. That was OK for a while. Both understood that life couldn't always be filled with zest and zing. And it was understood that if one were to have a zingy feeling in the body it should just be ignored, so they could accomplish the things that needed to be done. It was also understood that it was a gift to the other to not burden the other by talking about zingy, zesty feelings or the lack thereof. In fact as time went on and on, the two talked very little about what was inside their minds or bodies. But both thought that someday it would work out and it was best to just keep going, doing what needed do be done.
Then one day, something marvelous and terrifying happened. Élan woke up full of energy with lots of those zesty, zingy feelings. For Élan, once again life was full of color and excitement. But as Élan looked over to Joie, Élan noticed that Joie's body was still fast asleep. Élan wondered, "Should I wake Joie? What would Joie think? Would Joie think; "What's wrong, you've changed? Why are you acting this way? You're being silly, stupid, needy, pathetic, childish and selfish?" Élan thought for a long time about what to do and finally decided that it was too embarrassing, too risky to bring up the subject and decided to keep quiet and try to go back to sleep. That worked for a while but soon Élan began to grow sad and lonely, not being able to share the joy of the zesty, zingy feelings. Élan longed to share these feeling with Joie but couldn't muster up the courage to wake Joie, fearing a negative reaction. Élan grieved the loss of someone to share the exciting zesty, zingy feelings with.

Months turned into years and one day while Élan was in deep despair a stranger walked by, smiled and struck up a conversation. Somehow it was so easy to talk and confide in this stranger. Élan thought, "This is a wonderful feeling to feel alive again" and at once a zingy, zesty feeling welled up inside of Élan. Élan thought, "Is this meant to be? Should I be feeling this way? I feel wonderfully young and energetic - Why shouldn't I feel this way? I don't want to go back to feeling half asleep and dead inside." Then, a great consuming sense of confusion came over Élan. Just now talking to the stranger, it felt so enlivening and freeing while the thought of talking to Joie seemed somehow difficult and impossible. The confusion was paralyzing.

Just at that moment, Joie turned the corner and saw Élan and the stranger talking in that animated zesty way. Immediately it broke Joie's heart. Joie became angry, protested and ran away to be alone. Joie thought, "Élan doesn't talk to me like that. Why haven't we been able to talk like that - so zesty, zingy and full of life? I miss the talking, confiding and those wonderful zingy, zesty feelings in my body." Seeing the shock on Joie's face, Élan fell silent.

More years went by and the children grew into wonderful people. But Élan and Joie rarely talked, and never about that awkward day. Élan had felt foolish and shamed, so pushed away those zesty feelings, not feeling any right to talk about them. Joie felt hurt and unwanted and built a wall of soft foam all around for comfort. The two were together but felt alone and rarely touched.

Believe it or not, as with some couples, this couple was able to recover those zingy, zesty feelings for each other. But how, how did it come about that once again they played together and their zingy, zesty feeling were awakened? Try creating your own ending to this story.

Given available space, I will share your story endings on this web page. No more than a page, please. Email me your endings (doug@douglastilley.com) and give me your permission to use your name or a nickname and to post your endings. Have fun.

The end of the story begins with, "Well, by and by........................"

Click Here to print a PDF version

Élan meanwhile decided to recover from the despair and get back on the track of life. Not knowing how to get Élan's life straightened out , walked into the U.S. Armed Forces Recruiting center and spoke to a Navy Recruiter who talked about the responsibility, discipline, camaraderie, and brotherhood. This was exactly what Élan was looking for. Élan signed without a second thought. He went through boot camp, and began serving on the USS Patriot.

After a while, he became restless. During a pissing contest with a few Marines, Élan got a little too hot headed and started a fight. Élan lost. While sitting in the brig, feeling quite down, Élan decided to write a letter to Joie. Élan wondered if Joie found the lost zing, if Joie looked or if Joie moved on.

After a few weeks, a package arrived with no return address, inside were cookies and beer. Élan instantly knew the baker was Joie. He wrote a second letter, a simple thank you note. Assuming Joie had moved on, but wishing Joie the best life has to offer. As letter were exchanged, Élan learned that absence makes the heart grow fonder. When Élan left and the shock wore off, it motivated Joie to also take control of Joie's life and look for the lost zing. Joie found it, without being barked at by Drill Instructors or 1,000 push ups. Élan was happy for Joie. On Élan's next leave, Élan took a flight to see Joie. Joie was happy, zesty and in tears when Élan walked through the terminal gate. They talked for hours, Élan almost missed the plane back. When Élan's term of service ended, Élan introduced Joie to a new way of life, aboard a much smaller vessel, the SS Minnow, a 27 foot sailboat. They sailed to the Florida keys in November, catching fish and taking a temp job from time to time, then sailing north to the crisp spring air of Maine and back again. Vowing never again to leave zing or zest lost.

Not all who wander are lost.

One of April's nieces asked her to watch her son while she underwent surgery. He goes to play with April's kids while they talk on the sidewalk. They talk about various female ailments, and it's not long until they get to weight. Ironically, they're both the same weight, 118 lbs. However, her niece is about eight inches shorter than April.

April tells her that she's got an eating disorder. That she doesn't intentionally make herself throw up, but she has other ways, referring to laxatives. Her niece tells her she looks great.

Then April gets on the subject of how she hates the neighborhood. Really it's not all that bad, yes, there's the asshole who said I should smack her around, but most of the others are cool. Directly across the street, the newest neighbor is working on his truck.

She says at a level that the guy across the street could surely hear "everybody around here are assholes.The guy who threatened to beat me up on my own property. And the blacks who said `they're just renters`" I'm surprised that Al Sharpton isn't at my place yet.

Although the black people are ok, the mom's just a little screwed up, I really doubt they're card carrying NAACP members. So I say "It's time to go inside honey."

She continues, and continues and continues. Then she describes to her niece how when she gets angry, she's unstoppable. She proudly announces how she choked me. I say that I know I wasn't in any real danger. I feel obligated to tell her niece how I was just making pancakes and the she choked me. Finally after about 10 minutes, she decides it's time to go in.

Well, this time it's a good buddy who's leaving, for good reason.

So I casually mentioned that we're throwing him a send off party last night.

April command "You're not going! And you know why".

Well shit honey, this is a guy you've met, you're sorta cool with him, what's the problem? So I reply "Cause I can't hold my liquor and will embarass myself." She gets up, goes in the house, slams the door.

I wait outside, I'm not dealing with this bullshit, I'm not going to let her believe I'm in the wrong. I'll just grab my clock on Thursday morning, go to work and never come home. I want to leave anyway, why not then?

After 10 minutes or so, she comes to the door orders me in the house to talk to her.  She says "you can't go, she'll be there." I say no she won't. She demands to know who's going and why spouses aren't invited. Spouses aren't typically invited to this kind of stuff anyway, at least not at anywhere I've worked. Stupid crazy woman. I really thought she was getting better, however, lately, I don't know any more.

She says "I'm a bitch if I don't let you go." (yes darling, that's right) "and if I do, then I'll lose you." she continues.

Maybe she is getting better, last time she demanded I not go, regardless. Eventually she says "let me think about it." I agree to let her think about it. 

The discussion regarding the "send-off" continues:

2:34:PM: gonna ask u a question, don't get mad at me ok
ok.
did u found out who is all going to (the farewell) gathering?
let me look
ok, you are gonna tell me the truth right?
(list of names, Kristin excluded)
(the person's name of the last one I couldn't go to) (the last farewell outing you wouldn't let me go to)
brb, my boss

29 minutes go by.

ok its been half hour so i do nt knw whats going on
back
ok
so tell me is Kristin gonna be te
here
there
no
you telling me the truth ?
or are u just saying that because you want to go?
yes I am telling the truth

I know I'm lying, but I am not going down that road. She's told me in no uncertain terms that some things are unacceptable, such as me being in the vicinity of Kristin. Even though her interest in me and my interest in her are clearly a figment of April's immagination. 

so where is tis to be going down?
Jimmy's, it's a restaurant.

After I said it, I knew it was a mistake. Honesty is not the best policy. 

where the hell is that never heard of it
don't worry, I'm not eating anything expensive and wont' drink, we don't have the money.
why are you still planning on going?

That would be nice, I am a "big boy" after all, they let me drive (sort of), drink and vote after all. 

i take
  i take what?

My misunderstanding, she meant "I take it". 

so when do youthink u will be home?
so I'm not allowed?
7:00-7:30
thats seems late to me
what ever, sorry I asked.

That really pisses me off, it takes me an hour to get home, even if it takes 15 minutes to get there, what's wrong with spending at most an hour and a half there? 

what do you mean?
if it's going to be an inquisition, it's not worth it.
first of all you never ask for the other one that you claim i said you were not allowes
allowed
all i am saying i never relized you guys were that close to one another
if you want to go then go
it's not like he was my best friend or anything, we weren't close, but we were pretty good friends and I'd like the opportunity to say "good luck and farewell" so to speak.
i do not want you to get mad at me, not to be cocky buit you could say that there, but do what you think you want to do
I'm not mad.
but youknow how i feel about Kristin and i think you just afraid to tell me thats all

Why would I be afraid to tell you? Ever since you found out about her, you've harrassed her, you've threatened her, you've threatened my job, you cost me a promotion. What do I have to fear?

no.
and i want to believew you and trying to

I don't feel as though you are trying nor want to. Sorry, I just don't see any effort. 

and "me and Kristin" is all in your imagination.
I really wish you could understand that.
no, i just have a problem with her thats all
i trust you, but not her
so you do not trust me
no i said i do trust you
but what would u do if she tried something thats all
decline, you know that.
i love u and miss u

If love means "control" and miss means "manipulate". 

think about it you almost left me twice now and i am afraid of that more then anything

Can't imagine why. 

if you were afraid of it, don't you think you'd quit nagging me about Kristin?
makes mesick to my stomach thats all
i do not
ok.
well I really need to get some stuff done before the end of today, can I talk to you about it later?
you have no idea how i feel about u thats all
i upset u
i am sorry
it's ok, I really need to get this done, I just got an asignment by (the end of the month) that's going to take all the time I have till then.
i need you to understand that i do not mean to do anything mean by far

For someone who isn't trying you're doing a great job! 

I know.
but you think i amtrying by nt wantng you to go
anyway, I need to get thisdone, I got two hours and probably need three.
you have until the 1st right?
look, I won't go. OK?
yes, and I probbaly could use till the middle of next month
3:21 PM : can we talk abut it at home
i love u, miss u
yes.
love you too.
bye
bye

We're sitting on the couch before dinner, out of the blue, she says to me "you're gonna need more than $10 for the party". I say "maybe 15". She says "no, there's a hotel attached to the restaurant", which is news to me. "They have really fine food, the menu is expensive, I looked it up on the 'net". "You were planning on slipping away from the group with Kristin." She continues "I know exactly where it is, I'm going go over there and if she's there, I'm gonna kick her ass."

I reassure her once again I am not going. I can't go, regardless of who attends, she's going to show up and embarass me. I'm not going through that.

Later she says to me "I've been thinking...", which is always a bad thing, "you go to the party, she gets close to you, tries to kiss you, what are you gonna do?" I say "politely decline." She says "but it's been a week, because of my problem..." (she had a bladder infection) "so you're gonna take her up on it." I say "no, you haven't had it for a week either, what if Doug comes up to you", she says "that's different". I say "it's the same logic." She starts crying. I ask her why. She says "I'm depressed". I ask her to elaborate. She says she just wants to hurt someone. (Most likely Kristin). So I take her downstairs, get her to put the bag gloves on and go a few rounds with the punching bag. She does, for about 10 minutes, which is a hell of a long time. Two minutes is a long time, 10 is extraordinary.

Before bed, she goes back to the bedroom, after 10 minutes or so, I come back too to get ready for bed. She's laying on the bed, crying. "We need to break up." I've been through this so many times and want so desperately to say "yes we do", but I fear for my job, my co-workers and somewhat my life. So I'll never say it when I'm alone with her. I ask "is that what you want?" She says "no, but I'm holding you back, you can't do what you want to do." I hold her, tell her not to worry about it, I'm not going to the farewell party. We get changed and go to bed. 

 I'm working and I get an IM:

(16:05:58)are you were
are I were?

I'm trying to be funny, It didn't work. 

duh
why be smart about it
I don't know what you mean.
i tld you i would let you know my decision
usually your hi hiney
oh, ok, and your decision?
hi honey!
like it matters now
since your in a moood just go

I think she has it backwards as to who is in a mood. 

I'm not in a mood, I was asking a question
no usualy sweet when i im you
so ust go an dhave fun
you asked a funny question, that's why I asked what you meant.
i always say that
you've never asked " are you were"
because i neve rknw if your there or outside
well just remember i am on a pill
ok, what's up?
i said ust go and have fun
ok, thank you sweetie
whatever
feel better since you talked to your sister?
i ddi not talk to her
ok
so what changed your mind?
if you do anything its your problem and if i lose then i do
and what changed your mind?
what i do not matter your co-worker is more
yimportant
and you guys just liked talked all the time
huh?

More important than what? 

so your such good friends why not
i was in a good mod but you had to be smart about it when i ask yu
where u were
i was just asking
a question
i was trying so hard
but normally you ask "are you there", you asked "are you were" which I didn't realize was a typo
i was gonna kep myself content with working out and shit
that's good.
well like i said i am on a new pill
I'm sorry I misunderstood.
i got the kids pizza
i was really trying
that's good.
yeah and now i am upset
why?
so the question was if you do somerthing wrong and i lose u you had no compant
\so like that really made me feel secured
that's a good way of thinking.
no it wasn't
you should have said you will never lose me
nowq i have to worry
you never have anything to worry about
yeqah i had to tell you that its not from your heart
it is.
what else is on your mind?
i am just so upset
about what?
the way you treated me
how did I treat you?
you made me upset when i said about losing yu and if you do something bad you had no compent other then saying i was thinking good, like it is what you want
I do want you to think positive.
i wasthinking positive nad now i do not know
why not?
so you want me to worry about losing you
because it is good to you
no, I want you not to worry.
well i will now
i was thinking i would have you all to myself tomorrow and the weekend, and it would only be about hour difference tonight that was what i was thnking
that's good.
but now i am upset
so therefore it gonna be harder on me
I don't understand why.
because basicaly you said our gonna leave me
no I said no such thing.
well i am getting off and have a good time at the party see you at 700 or so

Seven huh? I said 7:30 the day before. 

show me where I said it.
the positive thing i did not like that
about losing you and you do something bad
i was really belieiving in you
I didn't mean "it's a positive thing that I'm leaving you", I meant "it's positive that your're thinking I'm not leaving you".
i got he kids pizza and we were gonna work out and if i got to be a mess i was gonna cal my sister
that's good.
thinking it would help pass the time
since you promise me 700 or so but you made promises brfore to
I said by 7:30
so now i am tinking negative
why?
becasue you hurt my feelings
i knw your gonna drink and lose tme and be late
I don't know how I hurt your feelings, I'm sorry.
so you can spend money there an d i will do the weekend right?
we'll figure it out.
NO, YOU KNOW YOUR GONNA SPEND ABOUT 30.. there
$30 isn't that much.
you know your gnna have a drink or so
but I said $15
yes it is
when we have plans for the weekend
i really just want to get off here and go and have a good time and see you at 730
ok.
i mean you have a good time
love you.
don't worry about me
just have fun with all your friends
I always worry about you.
well don't, you know other peolpe there are gonna have there boyfriends or girflfriends there and i couldn't come because your afraid what i would do with Kristin
no, but any way.
you know it
I do?
you know the people who are going there
no.
you said allie, tim, tracie, then you stop
it was yesterday
there were about a half dozen people on the list.
well see you at 730 you better be here by then
have a god time
love u, miss u
love you.
I will
miss you too.
(16:41:13) April has left the conversation.

So after this exchange I decide not to go. It's just too difficult and not worth it. 

Like I said, I decided not to go. But I didn't tell her either.

I get home, no one is there. I'm getting nervous that she decided to show up there to check on me, or some stupid shit. I wait and wait. Nothing.

I check the phone log, she called someone at 20 minutes before I normally get home, there's no way she's there yet. 

So I send her a text message. This way if she decided to go there, she'll know I'm home and won't humiliate me by showing up uninvited.

She says she's out shopping and will be back soon. In the mean time, I eat a few slices of pizza that are left over.

She gets home, I say "Hi honey!". She says "get out to the pizza, you already ate." I explain that I didn't go. She says you weren't home at 6:00 like usual. I tell her there was an accident, which there was. She would have known if she tried to go to the restaurant, thankfully she didn't.

She says "you came home because you're guilty. You were gonna do something, but changed your mind, that's why you came home.". I say "yeah right.".

After a few tense minutes, she finally calms down and I wish I would have gone. 

I went on a mini-vacation with her, just as I said I would. We're driving near the beach, trying to find a spot to park. We've circled the block once.

She starts getting really irritated, saying that we should go back to the beach we went to the day before where we paid $8 to park. I say "we'll find something". I try a little farther away so we don't have to worry about a meter. She says "I'm not walking that far", it's four blocks!. So I find a metered spot, Two blocks away. $0.25/12 minutes. I have a quarter, I say "we've got 12 minutes to get change." She says "I'm not coming back out every 12 minutes." I tell her that we put a bunch of quarters in, up to eight hours worth. She says "you get change, I'll stay here." So I try for a spot that's closer to where I know there's some source of change, even though I'd bet money that we could find one that's just as close to where we are. It's not worth the hassle.

Then I find one, we feed the meter $5.25 which is good for four hours and 12 minutes. I get sunburned, bad while I wait for her to decide on something else to do besides bake in the sun.

About three hours and 15 minutes later, she decides that she's had enough of the kids behind us talking about who they fucked last night, let's do the boardwalk and get some souveniers for the kids. So we do, then drive to another boardwalk to check it out. Fortunately, we can park there for free. Then we go back to the hotel so I can nurse my wounds.