A Betrayal

 

I don’t know how.  It just….happened.

For years everything was fine.  We got to know each other quite well.  We connected.

It was safe.  And satisfying.

Until recently.  When things began to change.

I became bored.  Disinterested with the same routine.  Same choices.  Same…everything.

Deep within I craved more.  A burning passion for something new.  Exciting.

That’s when I strayed.  I could not resist.  I turned away from my comfortably-old, local library.  And found myself drawn to the splashy, new one in a neighboring community.

Entering its double doors, I made an audible gasp.  Lost in a scene of overwhelming heat.

The sights.  The hushed sounds.  The new titles.  Fiction.  Non-Fiction.  To hell with the Reference section.

I didn’t even hear a fresh-faced librarian’s “Good morning!” welcome.

I knew I was being unfaithful but could do nothing to quiet the needs that smoldered within.

Slowly I moved.  Up and down.  Every aisle.  Exploring.  Touching.  Discovering.

My giant head.  Tilted at an uncomfortable angle to better read the spine of each volume.

I became selfish during this new encounter.

My wants exceded my needs.  My desire greater than my stamina.

Finally, spent.

I selected a book.

My hands trembled while the librarian scanned my card.

“Due back in three weeks,” she said.

Oh, I’ll be back before then, I thought.  My longing much too strong to resist.

Suddenly I felt stabbing guilt.  Thrill replaced with pain.  

I had cheated on a long-time partner.

Could I ever be forgiven?  Could trust be regained? 

My mind swirled deep in thought before realizing never shall I confess my infidelity to the local library.  At no time would they ever understand this reader’s confused emotions.

It is best to keep such dark secrets tucked inside.  Spoil no feelings even though lust remains.

I accept responsibility for my flingy indiscretion.  My literary affair.  In other words, a betrayal.

The End.