A Lot To Unpack
A Romantic Comedy of Sorts
I have love for all of my subscribers, and I thank you for your time and your support.
If you wish to become a paid subscriber, there is a discount coupon at the end.
This was another genre entry for a competition that didn’t make the cut, something I rarely attempt: Romantic Comedy. I hope you enjoy my foray into a new genre and my personal inability to keep away from the delights of incorporating some horror.
Sophie and Charles watched as the movers carried a faded blue couch into the living room and set it down in front of the pony wall separating off the kitchen.
When they left, Sophie slowly sat on it.
“Here we are again,” Charles sighed, rubbing his neck.
“There’s always so many boxes,” Sophie gazed at the assorted stacks of cardboard containers.
“Living accumulates,” Charles looked in the box nearest him, “I’m so tired of this.”
“Well, you know who to blame,” Sophie eyed him irritably.
“I know, I know,” Charles looked at her, “I’m sorry, my love. We’ll get through this. We always do.”
Sophie’s gaze softened into sad puppy dog eyes.
“I asked you not to do it.”
“Look,” Charles took a knee and held her hand in his, “I love you, and I’m sorry. It will never happen again.”
“Well, obviously,” Sophie took her hand back.
“I just didn’t think he would have a gun in his car!”
“I asked you not to do it,” Sophie huffed, “And you didn’t listen.”
“I know Pumpkin,” Charles stood up slowly, “I’m sorry.”
A tall man with dirty blond curls strode into the room and looked around. He began rummaging through boxes until he found what he was looking for: an old fashioned radio.
He set it down on the ledge of the pony wall and placed his hands on his hips as he appreciated the fit.
Then he smiled proudly and left.
Charles investigated the detestable relic and then turned the volume knob all the way up until there was a loud crackle of static filling the room.
The two sat quietly in the noise until the man peered around the doorframe in confusion. He entered slowly, switched off the radio, and stared at the unplugged chord.
“Weird,” he muttered, looking around the room.
His phone pinged in his pocket and he withdrew it, losing himself in the bright screen.
Charles went to the radio and turned it back up to full, startling the curly haired man and causing him to yelp in surprise. He stared at the unplugged chord in horror and took it in his hand to examine it.
“What the…”
He stood up to examine the radio once more, still crackling, before finally switching it off and returning it to the box he’d unpacked it from.
The man waited quietly for something, anything to happen, but was met with a long drawn out silence. He went to another box, eyeing the box with the radio in it, and slowly began to unpack more objects. He placed an emerald vase on the ledge and continued rummaging through boxes.
“Yuck,” Sophie stood to inspect the ornament more closely, “Absolutely hideous.”
Charles stepped forward.
“Don’t worry, darling,” he said, pushing the vase from the ledge so it shattered on the floor with a crash.
The curly man jumped with a squeal and spun around. He rushed to the kitchen, and his face paled as he confirmed the mess, his eyes darting around the space, unable to see the spirits haunting him. Then he quickly strode out of the room, pulling out his phone to contact the real estate agent.
“This might not take as long as the last one,” Charles smiled to his wife.
“Good,” she giggled, batting her eyes at him, “I abhor having company.”
60% off discount coupon: $2/month, $20/year
If you wish to support work for FREE consider restacking or sharing my work.
If you really enjoyed the story or are feeling exceptionally generous, a one time donation is always incredibly appreciated.
If you enjoyed that, here are some more stories by Sincerely Seb:
Check out my other publications if you would like to read some of my poetry or if you’re looking for something more spiritual:
Sophie is right and I’m on her side. Charles got them killed, apologized like this was a small marriage oops, and now they’re bullying new homeowners together. Seb, I hate how cute these two ghosts are.
Don’t take this the wrong way, but I had to read that 3x back to fully understand the turning point. Full Reader error. I loved it and imagined the whole scene playing out.
Creepy side note: I have a vase fitting that description.