Dailypost – Desert

I have decided to use the daily-prompt to aid with my writer’s block. It is my luck that today’s word is a tough one – a few days ago it was false and yesterday it was glass.

Desert as a noun means a wasteland – or a waterless land. Dry and very little vegetation – or a wilderness. Desert as a verb – means abandon with the intention of never returning.   To fail someone in a time of need

Desert – the verb

I placed a call and the voice on the other end accuses “where have you been? Why has it been so long since I heard from you?” I grip the phone and anger starts to simmer. “I have been busy” I answer between clenched teeth, “The kids, work, the house, everyone wants a piece of me”. I close my eyes and bite my tongue. I want to ask the same questions “Where have you been? Why has it been so long since I heard from you?” She acts wounded and hurt as if I have deserted her. But who deserted whom?

To be in a relationship with her, there is an unwritten contract that states; “You must be the one to contact me, to reach out to me – if you do not fulfill this part of the contract then you will be guilty of desertion”.  I seethe at how unfair this contract is.  In the chaos of my own life with obligations to everyone, my children, my husband and my employer – how they all fill my day as I try to meet their needs. The hours fly by and days blend into each other. When I do have a minute and I dial the phone I am accused of putting her last.

I can’t remember the last time she made the first move – the one to reach out to me. How it would brighten my day if for once she would call and ask “Is there anything I can do, so that we can spend time together?” I believe it would bring tears to my eyes and joy to my worn out soul.

But this is our relationship and it is my duty to keep up my part of the contract.   It is the only relationship we will have – and it is better than no relationship. I will not desert her.