”I knew I’d find you here, my dear Debra,” he said. “In your library, your favorite room, surrounded by your precious books.”
Debra turned around and saw the pistol in his hand. “Dwayne,” she said. “Please don’t do anything drastic.”
“Of all of your books on those shelves, Debra, is there the Book of Love?” Dwayne asked. “Did you ever read that book? It’s fascinating. In chapter one you tell him you love him, love him with all your heart. In chapter two you tell him that you’re never, ever going to part.”
Tears started flowing down Debra’s cheeks. “Dwayne, please stop,” she pleaded.
“Stop shedding your crocodile tears and making your vapid pleas,” Dwayne said. “In chapter three you remember the meaning of romance. Do remember the meaning of romance, Debra? I am not sure that you do, to be honest with you.”
“Dwayne, sometimes things just don’t work out between two people,” Debra said, desperately trying to hold herself together. “Sometimes the flame just goes out.”
“Right you are, Debra,” Dwayne concurred, “which explains chapter four, where you break up. And break up with me you did. But you also, that chapter says, give him just one more chance. Are you prepared, Debra, to give me — to give us — just one more chance?”
“Dwayne, I wish I could but I just don’t feel that way about you anymore,” an almost hysterical Debra cried. “I’m so, so sorry.”
Dwayne smiled. “So am I, Debra, so am I.” He then lifted his arm that was holding the pistol, aimed it at Debra, and pulled the trigger. “You should have given me one more chance, Debra. Now we’ll never get to read chapter five together.”
Written for Paula Light’s Thursday Inspiration prompt. Also for Word of the Day Challenge (drastic) and Fandango’s One-Word Challenge (vapid).