Excerpt from Romance/Thriller Novel: Starting Over
Description
Vocal Characteristics
Language
EnglishVoice Age
Middle Aged (35-54)Accents
North American (General)Transcript
Note: Transcripts are generated using speech recognition software and may contain errors.
Marco Natasha called when she opened their door. You, how is your hike with Olivia? Well, it was fine, gorgeous. Like always the water was colder than I thought it would be so late in the season. She removed her wet Chako sandals and left them on the front porch to dry. Rogers sent me a text a little bit ago asking if you were back. He wondered if maybe you had left Olivia up there. Stop. We weren't gone that long. She sounded angered. Net Roger was kidding about, Okay, I don't want to fight. Mark has changed the subject. What do you want to do this afternoon? Not sure I'll jump in the shower then we can decide movie. Maybe want some company. He winked and walked toward her Natasha's stomach drop. She just wanted a quick shower. She had felt rejected about the pink nights. So why should she let him join her in the shower? Now sure you can join me at the movie if you'd like. She tried to joke as she turned to go into their room, she could tell Marcus was watching, you know, if you want me to stay away from you, maybe stop wearing such tight pants, he teased, then walked into the kitchen, Natasha closed the door and turned on the showers so the water would heat up and then realized she had left her new shampoo and conditioner sitting on the table rather than asking for any help from him. She grabbed herself in a bath towel and went to grab the grocery bag. She could hear him talking to himself when she opened the door, she secretly watched him shaking her head my morning was great. He spoke to the empty room. I went for a run. I saw a little dog chasing a big dog. He got a drink of water and stood at the kitchen sink, looking out the window, talking to himself in an annoyed, almost sarcastic tone. It was so funny. He went on. The big dog had obviously no guts, no balls at all. He kept running. The little dog barked and barked and wouldn't shut up, it would not shut up. And the big dog kept backing away. His body language matched his over exaggerating tone as he mimicked the dog and started to back away from the sink. You should have seen it, Marco, he whipped around in a jolt, spilling his glass of water. Who are you talking to? She laughed, covering her mouth. Um He looked embarrassed at first, but then the whole situation made Natasha feel kind of bad. No one, he placed his glass on the counter, I'm talking to no one. His hands went up in the air like they always did when he was frustrated, he walked past her to the couch and removed his running shoes. Uh, how was your run this morning, Natasha asked slowly. Each word carrying tension with it. Marcus scoffed, then threw his shoes by the front door. It was fine, right? She disappeared down the hallway with her hair, washing supplies and shut the door after her shower. Natasha took her time getting ready. Marcus obviously needed to cool off. She brushed out her hair and took the hair dryer to it. Which she didn't usually do on weekends because she always had to during the week she put on some mascara and her favorite jeans with a button up purple blouse. It was finally time to face the music. Walking out to the living room, she found Marcus on the couch still in his running gear, eating a plate of scrambled eggs and watching the news. I made breakfast. He spoke to her but kept his eyes on the T. V. Thanks. I'll jump in the shower now. Why don't you look up some showtimes? Okay. Sorry I took so long. I'm sorry to he put his plate down on the coffee table and walked toward their room. Sorry for what? Net? He almost yelled. I'm sorry for everything. I'm sorry we are in this weird place and that I feel like you blame me for it. I'm sorry that I can't make you happy anymore. I'm sorry that I asked you to make a decision and more than anything. I'm sorry that we haven't talked about it since. Even though Natasha knew this was coming and almost wanted to get the conversation over with. It's still shocked her. Should we? Hash it out right now. Why not? Marcus came back into the living room. Okay. Okay. He took a breath you go first. I feel I've already said too much. I don't even know what to say, Mark. Just start talking. Say whatever you want. Hit me, do something. Fight. Fight for us. Marcus was getting tears in his eyes, Natasha quickly counted on one hand how many times she'd seen him cry now. She felt guilty, guilty for making him feel this way, guilty for wanting more. When she already had so much, she knew she needed to speak. Okay, I wake up and I think who am I? But what terrifies me most is when I think, who are you? How did we get to this place of total ambiguity. How can we feel like strangers after all this time together, Marcus listened, his eyes staring at the floor, his hand rubbing his chin. I want to know you. I do. But Natasha tried catching her breath. Why don't I anymore? What happened to us? She waited for a response. Tears also filling her eyes. Marcus, I know that we fell in love so quickly. But I would not have said yes to you if I thought we wouldn't last forever. I I honestly thought I'd feel like that forever with you. I may have been naive. I may have been young, but I also had faith in us. She snapped. That's it. That's all I have to say right now. Nothing else has words. Do you not feel that way anymore? No more faith. I want to have faith. Is that enough? What do you want? What do you want from me From life? Happiness. Hearing that he wasn't making her happy, stung deeply. And what would make you happy? I think I know the answer to that question.