The Distance

Summary

Simon is struggling with the emotional and physical distance in his marriage, which has grown over time due to accumulated disappointment and disdain, leading him to feel that he cannot endure the relationship any longer.

Abstract

The narrative "The Distance" is a poignant microfiction story that delves into the deterioration of Simon's marriage. It begins with Simon's wistful longing for the past, as he touches the empty pillow beside him, reminiscent of happier times when his partner's smile greeted him each morning. The story unfolds to reveal the stark contrast between the warmth of past memories and the current coldness and frustration that permeate his relationship. The couple's connection has eroded, manifesting physically in their avoidance of each other in their once shared bed and emotionally through the accumulation of resentments. Despite the small size of their flat, the emotional distance between them has made it feel vast and unbridgeable. Simon's conversation with his mother, who advises endurance, does little to alleviate his sense of unbearable marital strife. Ultimately, Simon concludes that he is unable to sustain the relationship, acknowledging his inability to "go the distance."

Opinions

Simon's mother believes that all relationships face challenges and that couples should persevere through difficult times.
The narrative suggests that Simon feels overwhelmed by the emotional barriers in his marriage, which he perceives as insurmountable.
The story implies a sense of resignation and defeat in Simon, as he contemplates the end of his marriage.
The author conveys a sense of regret and loss over the decay of what was once a loving relationship.
The imagery of physical space mirroring emotional distance emphasizes the depth of the couple's estrangement.

A microfiction story

Simon opened his eyes and gazed at the empty pillow next to him. For a moment, he reached out and touched it, remembering the days when there had been a smile there to greet him as he started his day.

These days the face that wore that smile was barely recognisable — the eyes betrayed the lips whenever they tried to fake it. There was no warmth there anymore, only coldness, frustration, and years of accumulated disappointment radiating from what was once the light in Simon’s life. Yet the coldness burnt.

The distance that had grown between them began in that bed and was now insurmountable, though neither of them wanted to admit it. It started with the physical space between them increasing, their bodies repelled from one another by the growing disdain within them. It progressed to separate beds, under the guise of different working patterns resulting in differing patterns of sleep. Lately, it had been fuelled by the little things that set them on edge and built a wall between them. Their flat was so small yet when they were both in there at the same time the walls stretched a thousand miles. Somehow, though, they never stretched far enough.

When Simon had spoken with his mother about his unbearable marriage, she had told him that all relationships go through it at some point and he should endure until they got over the hurdle. But for Simon, it was too much.

He just couldn’t go the distance.