in the mean time

Micheal slumped over his desk and mumbled in a daze. The dim light provided to him by the lamp looked down upon the diary and read the words aloud in a faint whisper. Micheal sighed and smiled. He didn't care how tired he was; it was a good day.

March 15, 2008
She seems to be slacking in her duties lately. The bed is not made, the dishes aren't washed... it worries me how she acts like this behavior is normal. It is obvious to me that she needs help. I have decided to help her in the best way I can. I know how she loves me, and she knows how I love her so very dearly. Tonight after our special dinner, I shall propose to the love of my life. She will say 'yes' and she will love me forever until the day she dies. That's the way it is meant to be. That's the way it will be.

Micheal smiled once more and closed the tattered book. He smelled the air and hurried downstairs. Once in the kitchen, he walked over to the candlelit table and sat down. Soon after, Angie walked into the room. She stopped in mid-stride as she saw Micheal sitting there in his church clothes. She spoke slowly, carefully.

"Micheal, Hunnie, what is this?" Micheal smiled and rose from his seat.

"This is our dinner. This is the rest of our evening." Angie frowned and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Don't you remember? I told you I have plans tonight with the girls." Micheal continued to smile. It sent a chill down Angie's back.

"Oh dear, you're so silly. Please, have a seat. I have a surprise for you." Angie cautiously pulled out a chair and sat down opposite of where Micheal was seated. Micheal walked over to Angie's side and dropped to one knee. Angie's eyes widened. She could feel Micheal stroking her hand as he pulled a tiny black box out of his pocket. Angie began to shake her head. She rose out of her seat just as Micheal opened the box. "Angie? Dear, what's wrong? Are you OK?"

Angie backed away from the now standing Micheal.

"Micheal, I can't do this. I'm not ready. I'm sorry, but I think you're moving too fast." Micheal's lower lip began to tremble.

"You mean to tell me that you don't love me...?" Angie smiled and cocked her head to the side.

"Oh, of course I love you. You know that... it's just- I don't think we're ready for this yet." Micheal looked at his feet. He dropped the box, and the ring rolled onto the floor. A single tear struck Micheal's shoe. Angie waited for some kind of response. After what felt like an hour, Micheal's eyes rose to meet Angie's. His lower lip was still trembling, but this time it was different. A small stream of blood ran down the left side. Micheal scowled. He walked up to Angie, who began to back away, and wrapped his hands around her neck.

"How could you betray me like this? How could you not love me?!" Angie began to gasp for breath as she tried to pry off Micheal's hands. Micheal's face began to turn red as Angie's turned purple. She managed to free herself of one hand, which in turn slapped her. With a triumphing yell, Micheal threw Angie to the ground and stomped on her raw neck. Suddenly the gasping stopped, and Micheal walked back over to the table. He sighed as the candle blew out in a puff of smoke.