a  Christmas  short  story  by    Álvaro  González-­‐Alorda   December  2011  √√

Where  r  u!?  Dinner  is  already  cold…  I’ve  been  waiBng  for  u  1h…  

Sorry…  Coming  now  

21:33  √√

21:41

y  te  prmeto  q  hoy  si  q  llego  a  cenar!!  11:56

But   this   time,   instead   of   weeping   in   the  darkness,  she  furiously  started  to  pick  up  her  things.          It   didn’t   take   long.   A   large   piece   of  luggage   and   two   cardboard   boxes   were  enough  to  pack  her  part  of  the  trip  that  —just   a   year   ago—   they   had   started  together,  surrounded  by  their  family  and  friends.  

When  she  Ainished,  she  sat  down  to  write  her   last   message.   She   has   been   thinking  about   it   for  weeks   and,   Ainally,   she  went  for  a  short  version:    

U  make  me  feel  I’ve  been  wasBng  my  love  with  u…  I  can’t  stand  it  anymore…    I’m  leaving.     Send

Just   before   sending   it,   she   slipped   her  Ainger   across   the   screen   and   saw   some  messages   from   the   last   days   and,   above,  messages  from  the  last  weeks...  Suddenly,  she   stopped   at   one   he   had   sent   her  months  ago:    

Sorry…  I’m  very  clmsy  with  the  keyboard.  I  need  to  talk  to  you.   19:21

A  key  opened  the  door  silently.      —Why  are  you  sitting  there?,  —he  asked  trying  to  hide  with  his  coat  a  big  parcel  he  was   carrying   in   a   bag   with   Christmas  decorations.      —What’s  that!?,  —she  replied.      

—Mmm…   I   think   I’ve   screwed   it   up  again...  This  piece  of   luggage  was   for  our  anniversary  surprise  trip  to…      —Stop   it!   Stop   it   before   you   deAinitely  screw   it   up,  —she   said,   interrupting  him  with  a  kiss.  And  holding  his  arm  she  said:      —Will   you   help   me   to   reheat   dinner?   I  need  to  talk  to  you.    

I  wish  you  inspiring  Christmas  conversaBons  with  your  family  and  friends.  thetalkingmanager.com