Give my things away

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I thought it was just a bad dream. Things mix up in the night, then we relax or feel some regret when awake. But hey, this is odd. He really began packing my things in a bag, some others in a little suitcase, while I lay there, flabbergasted by his attitude. How?

- It’s for the best, baby –he reached out and caressed my hair– trust me.

- Trust you? Mark, what are you doing?

- I’m packing your things, baby. You know it’s best for both of us.

I was barely in my full senses. Was he breaking up with me? Why would he even do that?

- No, Linda, no one has said anything about breakups, will you relax? –he rubbed my back

- But why? –I couldn’t find better words. Then he was too fast.

- Because I have to. I told you. It’s the right thing.

- But wait,

- But nothing, baby. These things must go –he opened his serious eyes and turned back to the task at hand.

I saw him take the first things and started crying. Why would he mess with my privacy that way, when I hadn’t done anything wrong? Was it because of the conversation I had with his mom? But that was actually pretty ok. I mean, it wasn’t exhilarating, but it was something. Interesting, to say the least, or maybe even quite entertaining. She did mention Mark all the time, but she also said a lot about the dogs at their farmhouse.

Mark came back with that mysterious I-have-to-do-my-job look. I had sharper senses now, after the cozy plunge in the sheets had ended.

- I think you had better stop now, Mark, hey, look at me! –I bit my lips.

- I am looking, and I can pack your stuff at the same time, baby. What’s the fuzz?

- Are you really doing this? –I took a deep breath and stood up finally– It’s about time you stopped. You can’t just do away with my clothes, my notebooks, and what the hell is that, did you just throw my jewelry into that bag?

- Looks like it yes –he kept going– but you have to understand –he opened his arms.

- Understand what! You give me that –I rushed to take the bag away from him, but he simply stood there, disappointed, giving me a saddened look.

- It’s ok, baby, I understand.

But then, I guess I snapped. I gave him back the bag. It hurt to see him disappointed. I explained that giving away my things was not right, that it was disrespectful, that it felt like a break up.

- Fine, Linda, I agree. But what if we sell them? You know, not just give them away?

- Sell my things? Why? For what?

- Well, for money, baby.

- Are you joking? Are you going to leave me without my stuff? –I fumbled around with the bed sheets and threw them on the floor– You have to stop, Mark! We don’t need a few bills in exchange for my things.

But he kept going with it. I decided not to crack up because of this, and maybe simply observe what he would do now. I felt that fighting wouldn’t help much.

Mark started selling the things, at least those he had not yet given away at the local YMCA. My closet was almost empty now, even my desk looked deserted, but I felt I didn’t care much anymore. I probably had double as much back at my parents’ house, but this was simply enigmatic. He was enigmatic, or perhaps a confused soul. But I loved him so much, and felt for him when seeing him neatly packing up everything. So I went along with the whole thing.

- Have you posted the underpants as well, honey? –I asked him before giving him a big hug.

- Yes, baby, of course –he said in due satisfaction.

- And someone will actually pay you for that?

- Someone already has.

- That is brilliant, baby. –I replied and he now seemed even more satisfied.

- They picked them up when you were at work. Would you like to see the rest of your things? I introduced combos and special discounts. –he smiled nervously yet in full hope.

And there they were. Online. My gym gloves, my pink shirt, my black pants, even the gray socks. He was making a very dynamic business out of my stuff.

- And the money, Mark? What are we going to do with that? –I asked kindly.

- Oh, don’t you worry baby. It’s in good hands. We’ll go out to dinner. Would this be ok?

Of course it was. It became an experiment. He was so busy getting rid of my things, that he even asked me to help him arrange his desk drawers. I helped him organize some documents, asked him to sign some of his pending issues, neatly placed the deed from the land records for the apartment in a special folder, then his college diplomas and even some old letters. Everything actually started looking very tidy, except my things were missing. I agreed that he could sell my books, but that he could keep the ones he liked, but even the bookmarks had to go.

- Baby –Mark started his speech– I am so happy that you finally took this the right way. I’m sure you understand now. I saw that you yourself have been posting the last things online.

- Of course, sweetie –I hugged him and smiled while showering him with kisses–. I’ve been getting better at it. I also thought it would be a good idea to sell my bike.

- Wonderful! –he seemed rather excited–. We can use the money to buy me a better helmet, how about that?

- Absolutely, let us just do that. I think you need a better helmet.

Lucky for him, I finished off with all the inventory, and the house was, well, basically free of me, except for my own presence. What he did not know is that amid all the fondling, he was so gentle to sign a power of attorney and a couple of interesting further pages.

When the new owners of his apartment arrived on the next day and the money was wired to my bank account, I happily gave them their keys, asked myself how Mark would be doing today at work, and looked through the window at the trash truck that took all the plastic bags filled with his clothes. Perhaps I would have loved to see Mark’s face later that day, but I had some shopping to do.