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"Love, Or Success"

The rain hammered down. I drove through the night, the light from the lamps flashing by. The headlights were off, but it didn’t matter. The moonlight was blocked by clouds, but I could see, even in the darkness. People from all forms of society drove by; rich businessmen, happy families, working men and women. And yet, I was none of these. I was split between two, maybe three.

I had been married a week ago. For years, she had meant everything to me. No one else mattered. Nothing else mattered. If my parents had disliked her, I wouldn’t of left her. If my job had forced me to another country, I would’ve quit. When she asked me out, I couldn’t believe it. I was in a dream, and I stayed in that dream for the next couple of years. I thought my life was complete when we married.

However, a week later, I was confused. My job was okay. Pay was reasonable, but I knew I could go so much further. But, I felt as though my commitment to my wife was holding me back, restricting me. At first, I was shocked and sickened that I could even think like this. But over the next four or five days it made more sense, and in the end it came down to a choice. What mattered more. What was more powerful. Love, or success.

Driving back from work that Monday. I had to work overtime with no extra pay, mainly because I’d taken a day off to spend time with her in our new home. It was almost 10pm, and then I knew. I had to make the choice. I had to make it that night, and stick with it for the rest of my life. Success, or love. Love, or success.

I thought about my past. The wonderful times I’d spent with her. The tough times I’d spent with her. The week her mother died, I stayed round at her place for three days. Three whole days of my life, dedicated to consoling with her. Sharing in her pain.
We went to Spain for a weekend, and I had the greatest time of my life. Surely I couldn’t give all this up…

But the job. We lived in a secluded area, not many job opportunities. The nearest city was at least a three hour drive away, and there was no train station within an hour of our house. The job I had was the best I could get. There were no prospects, no promotions. But if I left…I could find a job I actually wanted to do. Something with better pay, better prospects, better everything. She didn’t want to move, she’d lived there all her life. If I was to take the opportunity, it had to be now.

Thunder roared behind me and the rain fell harshly on the windows. The time was nearing, I had to make the decision.

Love. It had to be.

But no, success. More money, a better life for me. Maybe I’d meet someone else. And I’d be closer to my parents.

But what about her…there would be phone calls, divorce proceedings.

Live for the moment, not the aftermath.

I neared the turning. If I turned right, I would be heading to the city. To my new life. If I turned left, I would be going back home, where she waited. I was no longer in a state of thought, I couldn’t decide. Lightning flashed, the rain turned to hailstones. My mind felt as though it was going to explode. Everything I’d ever done, everything I’d ever gone through, everything I’d ever accomplished. It all come down to this. This moment. This single second. Right, or left. Left, or right. Success, or love. Love, or success.

I closed my eyes, keeping my hands on the steering wheel. I stopped thinking, and I turned. I turned…

Left.

As I drove on, it all became clear. I had already found success. To be married to this woman, was success in itself. And there was more to come. Children, grand-children. With her, I could have love and success. I suddenly realised that without the headlights on I could hardly see, but then the clouds thinned, revealing the moon and the stars. It still drizzled, but it made me feel calm. Relaxed.

I turned into the driveway, and looked up at my humble abode. I rang on the doorbell, and she answered. She could tell something important had happened that day. She knew. But she didn’t need to question me, because that’s how it was in our relationship.

“Hey,” she said, a smile forming across her tender features.

“Hi,” I said, returning the favour.

And that was it. That was all we needed to say to each-other, to know that everything was okay. Sometimes, actions speak louder than words ever can.

____________________________

Not sure where that came from. Might not have made sense, but I was being driven home earlier tonight and it inspired me to write this. I wish I could’ve written it right then though, in that car, as it’s that sort of atmosphere I was trying to create here. The night sky, the rain falling, music playing etc. I hope it reads well, as I just wrote what I felt.

What I do know though, is that I’m becoming obsessed with writing these soppy love stories. :D

Thanks for reading, Ant.

Was this a follow up to that story about the smile you did a few days ago?

Great post (again).

Good story again Ant, your full of them lately.

Seems like you have a lot of emotion locked up inside of you.

I used to be the same, but now I am a soulless SQL processing zombie, living on simple heuristics. Or at least, I need to be if I want any chance of getting this work done...

Damnit! I shouldn't be posting here!

Another well written story young Ant.

As far as the heading goes - love will always bring success, hate will only bring failure.

Not a story reader, but in answer to the title, Success every time.

The rain hammered down. I drove through the night, the light from the lamps flashing by. The headlights were off, but it didn’t matter. The moonlight was blocked by clouds, but I could see, even in the darkness. People from all forms of society drove by; rich businessmen, happy families, working men and women. And yet, I was none of these. I was split between two, maybe three.

I had been married a week ago. For years, she had meant everything to me. No one else mattered. Nothing else mattered. If my parents had disliked her, I wouldn’t of left her. If my job had forced me to another country, I would’ve quit. When she asked me out, I couldn’t believe it. I was in a dream, and I stayed in that dream for the next couple of years. I thought my life was complete when we married.

However, a week later, I was confused. My job was okay. Pay was reasonable, but I knew I could go so much further. But, I felt as though my commitment to my wife was holding me back, restricting me. At first, I was shocked and sickened that I could even think like this. But over the next four or five days it made more sense, and in the end it came down to a choice. What mattered more. What was more powerful. Love, or success.

Driving back from work that Monday. I had to work overtime with no extra pay, mainly because I’d taken a day off to spend time with her in our new home. It was almost 10pm, and then I knew. I had to make the choice. I had to make it that night, and stick with it for the rest of my life. Success, or love. Love, or success.

I thought about my past. The wonderful times I’d spent with her. The tough times I’d spent with her. The week her mother died, I stayed round at her place for three days. Three whole days of my life, dedicated to consoling with her. Sharing in her pain.
We went to Spain for a weekend, and I had the greatest time of my life. Surely I couldn’t give all this up…

But the job. We lived in a secluded area, not many job opportunities. The nearest city was at least a three hour drive away, and there was no train station within an hour of our house. The job I had was the best I could get. There were no prospects, no promotions. But if I left…I could find a job I actually wanted to do. Something with better pay, better prospects, better everything. She didn’t want to move, she’d lived there all her life. If I was to take the opportunity, it had to be now.

Thunder roared behind me and the rain fell harshly on the windows. The time was nearing, I had to make the decision.

Love. It had to be.

But no, success. More money, a better life for me. Maybe I’d meet someone else. And I’d be closer to my parents.

But what about her…there would be phone calls, divorce proceedings.

Live for the moment, not the aftermath.

I neared the turning. If I turned right, I would be heading to the city. To my new life. If I turned left, I would be going back home, where she waited. I was no longer in a state of thought, I couldn’t decide. Lightning flashed, the rain turned to hailstones. My mind felt as though it was going to explode. Everything I’d ever done, everything I’d ever gone through, everything I’d ever accomplished. It all come down to this. This moment. This single second. Right, or left. Left, or right. Success, or love. Love, or success.

I closed my eyes, keeping my hands on the steering wheel. I stopped thinking, and I turned. I turned…

Left.

As I drove on, it all became clear. I had already found success. To be married to this woman, was success in itself. And there was more to come. Children, grand-children. With her, I could have love and success. I suddenly realised that without the headlights on I could hardly see, but then the clouds thinned, revealing the moon and the stars. It still drizzled, but it made me feel calm. Relaxed.

I turned into the driveway, and looked up at my humble abode. I rang on the doorbell, and she answered. She could tell something important had happened that day. She knew. But she didn’t need to question me, because that’s how it was in our relationship.

“Hey,” she said, a smile forming across her tender features.

“Hi,” I said, returning the favour.

And that was it. That was all we needed to say to each-other, to know that everything was okay. Sometimes, actions speak louder than words ever can.

____________________________

Not sure where that came from. Might not have made sense, but I was being driven home earlier tonight and it inspired me to write this. I wish I could’ve written it right then though, in that car, as it’s that sort of atmosphere I was trying to create here. The night sky, the rain falling, music playing etc. I hope it reads well, as I just wrote what I felt.

What I do know though, is that I’m becoming obsessed with writing these soppy love stories. :D

Thanks for reading, Ant.