WRITING PROMPT CHALLENGE

This writing prompt came courtesy of Kay K. Burks on the Facebook Page "Stuff for Writers."

 

Writing prompt: A man takes lunch to his wife's office, where he's told that she hasn't worked there in weeks....

 
Here is my interpretation of the prompt:     

     Theo exited the elevator and recalled how Traci gulped her coffee that morning, emptying her mug in almost a single swallow. He had turned but for a moment to grab the coffee pot to offer a refill. In that span of seconds, she had grabbed her unusually large purse and fled. On the island's granite top, there beside the emptied mug, her triple thermal insulated lunch pouch remained. Walking through Traci's office, her coworkers' strange glances now made him feel uncomfortable, like a spectacle of sorts. Next, whispers. Immediately, his gut alerted him. It was for reasons other than the ridiculousness of such a big burly man, carrying a loud, florescent pink pouch. Every person here in the 12,000 square ft. expanse of Traci's office knew something he didn't.

After some gracious encouragement from author, Kiely Denny, I have decided to continue:

     Traci's office was located at the far end, adjacent to the COO's. The walk today, somehow seemed longer than usual, as staff members each did a double take as he passed, a domino effect rippling its way through the suite. Theo stop in his tracks and looked at the receptionist who was seated at the desk nearest him. When she quickly looked away, he said a silent prayer, took a deep breath and continued. 
     There were no misguidings. He knew his wife, the beautifully odd, carefree spirit that she was, was no object of perfection. But she was the angel in his life, that made him want to love again. Whenever she entered a room, she filled it with an infectious joy. That was her gift. She taught him how to smile, even when there was not reason to. And for that reason, he was able to sift through his pain, let his guard down, and trust enough to try, to want, and hope for happiness, regardless of how elusive it may have been so many times before. The what-ifs were no longer important; it was the mere moments that mattered most. The right nows, whenever the two of them were together. Her history wasn't ignored or even forgotten, but in the whole scheme of things, it was the least of his worries. Because he loved her "anyway," he married her "anyway." Their nuptials, met with the resistance of many and the chiding of the matriarch of the family, "A fool's lesson arrives in CPT time."