Too Little Too Late

The smell of burnt cigarettes, sweat, and other bodily fluids filled the motel room air as Tommy and Kimberly lay beside each other in bed. Neither looked at the other, instead focusing on either the walls or the ceiling, their eyes distant and forlorn. The wedding band was on the sidetable, witness to the passion that took place just ten minutes ago.

It happened. Neither want to talk about it, but it happened. Their nudity alone speaks volumes about what had happened, what they allowed to happen, what they, deep down, wanted to happen. Tommy looks at the wedding band, his wedding band. He picks it up and fiddles with it, debating wether to put it back on. Kimberly never took hers off, though.

Coffee and a chat. It was supposed to be just a coffee and a chat. No motel room, no passion, just two old friends catching up. But an old flame lit once more, and before either knew it, well, it happened. And now here they were.

A fowl smell filled the air; a musty, sweaty smell. Perhaps it was the cigarette smoke, the unwashed sheets, the small cockroach nest located below the side table. Perhaps it was the suspect stain on the wall, or the crumbs on the microwave left by a previous guest. Whatever it was, Kimberly had a look of slight disgust on her face.

She got up, looking for her clothes. As she reached for her blouse, she noticed her phone had a missed call. She picked it up; her husband. She sighs and calls back.

Tommy listened to the conversation. As she lied to the man she exchanged vows with, Tommy buries his face on his hands. He sighed, choosing to put his wedding band back on. He gets up to pick up his pants; his phone falls off the pant pocket. He picks it up, noticing Kat left him a text. He reads it.

-Pick up milk later? We ran out,- Tommy nodded his head. He texted his wife back.

-Sure,- and so Tommy hit Send. The screen saver is of Tommy and Kat on their wedding day.

As Tommy and Kimberly put their clothes back on, they exchanged one last look. That one look became a kiss, and that one kiss led to more. Their wedding bands made a 'cling' sound when they touched, so Tommy took his off. Kimberly debated wether to follow suit, but chose not to.

These things tend to happen.