Aaron logged out of his work computer. He had put in extra hours so he could leave early today. It was Valentine's Day and though he didn't think much of this over commercialized occasion, he knew Fiona did.
In his pocket was the gift he'd lovingly selected, a single pearl pendant. For Aaron the present was full of symbolism: a thing of immense beauty and value, produced out of suffering, the irritating grain of sand that invaded the life of a mollusc.
Their marriage was like that he thought, though these days there seemed to be more grain than beauty. He hoped this would be the beginning of new things, a peace offering to his wife.
“Aaron! Before you go...” It was Daniel, the CEO and his boss. Aaron was expected to put his plans on hold, yet again.
He hesitated.
He made the wrong decision.
