My next blog will be on my research trip to Stonehenge, but while I write that, I thought you might be interested in this short scene that was written for a writing class, we had to write about an argument. Conflict is something that drives plot, as it pushes people into action, I had a whole story in my head about this piece.<\/p>\n
The Argument by S.F. Burgess<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Simon gave a satisfied sigh, leaning back in the chair. Patting his now slightly distended stomach he belched softly. From across the immaculately appointed dining table, Amy gave him a disapproving look.<\/p>\n Simon smiled. \u201cIn France it\u2019s a compliment to the chef.\u201d<\/p>\n Amy rolled her eyes. \u201cI\u2019ve never been more delighted that I don\u2019t live in France.\u201d<\/p>\n Simon gave her his best cheeky grin and her stern demeanour cracked, a stunning, indulgent smile spreading across her face.<\/p>\n Seeing his advantage, Simon pushed on. \u201cThe food really was amazing darling, thank you, that beef was cooked to perfection.\u201d<\/p>\n Amy flushed a little at the praise and reached across the table to take his hand. \u201cYou\u2019re welcome, happy anniversary my love.\u201d<\/p>\n Simon raised her hand and kissed the palm, watching as her beautiful blue eyes glazed a little in lust. He leant forward, nipping, licking and kissing gently up the inside of her wrist. She shuddered, her other hand running fingers through his hair.<\/p>\n Simon reached the crook of her arm and stopped raising his eyes to her half-closed languid blue gaze and smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s for desert?\u201d<\/p>\n There was just enough suggestion to the comment to bring a sultry smile to Amy\u2019s face.<\/p>\n \u201cChocolate mousse… Do you want it now?\u201d<\/p>\n Simon chuckled. Amy shook herself and stood, stacking the plates to take into the kitchen. Simon caught her hands, enforcing stillness.<\/p>\n \u201cChocolate mousse sounds good, but I\u2019ve got a surprise for you. It\u2019s been so hard to wait to tell you, I\u2019m so excited, but I wanted to get everything ready first.\u201d<\/p>\n With a puzzled look, Amy sat again.<\/p>\n Simon took a deep breath for dramatic effect. \u201cThe company have given me a promotion.\u201d<\/p>\n Amy jumped up and flung her arms around his neck.<\/p>\n \u201cSimon that\u2019s brilliant!\u201d She squealed in his ear. Simon hugged her slim frame.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s not the best part\u2026 the new job\u2019s in New York!\u201d<\/p>\n Amy froze. Pulling away from him, her arms crossing her stomach, holding herself, she stared at him. Simon registered the shock.<\/p>\n \u201cI know it\u2019s a big surprise, but you don\u2019t have to worry, the company are sorting out accommodation and the move, all we have to do is pack a case and get on the plane.\u201d<\/p>\n Amy\u2019s shocked look morphed into something Simon had not expected. Fear flooded her eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cSimon, I don\u2019t want to live in New York.\u201d<\/p>\n Stunned, Simon felt the situation shifting, in all the months of planning, he had never imagined for one moment that Amy wouldn\u2019t want to come.<\/p>\n \u201cBut you loved New York when we visited last Christmas.\u201d<\/p>\n Amy took another step away from him. \u201cYes, New York was great for a two week shopping trip, that doesn\u2019t mean I want to live there.\u201d<\/p>\n Simon felt anger surface, this was a huge opportunity for him, something he\u2019d worked really hard for, Amy should be delighted.<\/p>\n \u201cI have to go Amy, I\u2019ve signed the contract, you\u2019re my wife, you have to come with me.\u201d<\/p>\n Amy\u2019s eye\u2019s grew wide, but her voice remained soft, fearful. \u201cI\u2019m your wife Simon, you\u2019re partner in life, not a slave, you can\u2019t just make a decision like this. I don\u2019t want to go. What about my life, my plans? You should have discussed this with me.\u201d<\/p>\n Simon stood up so quickly he knocked over the delicate dining chair; Amy cringed at the noise as it hit the polished dark wood floor.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat life, what plans?\u201d He snapped. \u201cYou don\u2019t have a job, you live well off my generosity. Everything you have, I\u2019ve provided for you, this decision was entirely mine to make and if you wish to remain my wife you\u2019ll do as I say.\u201d<\/p>\n With a sharp inhale of breath Amy grasping her hands over her heart, tears standing out in her eyes. She struggled to get herself under control, to speak around the obvious lump in her throat.<\/p>\n \u201cMy art lessons are\u2026\u201d she whispered.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m pretty sure they give art classes in New York, Amy,\u201d Simon interrupted, imperiously. Regretting his tone as Amy seemed to fold further into herself.<\/p>\n \u201cMy family\u2026. My mother\u2026\u201d Little more than a breath, the soft utterance had started the tears falling.<\/p>\n Simon sighed; he hated to see her cry. \u201cYour family can visit whenever they like, I\u2019ll pay for the tickets, they can stay as long as they like.\u201d<\/p>\n This was a big concession; his mother-in-law was difficult at the best of times. Amy, shook her head, tears flying,<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not going. You are going to have to decide once and for all, us or your job.\u201d Simon could hear the steel in the soft voiced ultimatum. When he didn\u2019t respond immediately, the tears started in earnest and turning on her heel Amy fled the room.<\/p>\n Simon righted the chair and sat heavily. It was then he noticed the small gift near his wine glass. Wondering morosely if it would be the last anniversary present Amy ever gave him, Simon opened the box. Inside was a strange plastic tube, a small screen embedded in it. The small screen had the word \u2018Positive\u2019 standing proud on it, the image of a little digital baby next to it.<\/p>\n It took a full minute for the significance of what he held in his hand to register. Then it took less than a second for the entire world to turn on its head.<\/p>\n \u201cOh Amy\u2026\u201d he murmured, his anger evaporating.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" My next blog will be on my research trip to Stonehenge, but while I write that, I thought you might be interested in this short scene that was written for a writing class, we had to write about an argument. … Continue reading