Puppet: The Hardest Decision You'll Never Have to Make

By Buford Delgado

Alfred's life would be perfect if not for one huge problem. His inability to make decisions is like a toxic mold that destroys everything. After his fiancée decides she's had enough, he's forced to deal with his shortcomings. But how and where to start?

How convenient, then, that a TV ad is offering permanent solutions. All Alfred has to do is listen to an audio recording.

But no one warned him about the side effects: blackouts, personality changes, and then his ex goes missing under suspicious circumstances…

• Language: English
• Publisher: Damned Monsters
• Release date: Oct 20, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386568933

Book preview

Chapter 1

Alfred fussed with the knot of his tie and wished he could fade into the plaid tan sofa. The tips of his ears burned like summer asphalt, like he was a schoolboy singled out in class to answer questions about a book he hadn’t read.

He had the odd, somewhat claustrophobic feeling of being watched, and not just by his angry fiancée. His gaze darted toward the semi-transparent curtains, which were tightly drawn to protect Madison’s collection of African violets from sunburn.

Look at you, Madison said. You can’t even decide if you love me or hate me right now. It’s amazing that you manage to get dressed in the morning.

That’s not true, Alfred protested, looking up at her in alarm. I love you.

Madison was pacing back and forth, hands on hips, face set in a frown. Every time she pivoted, her golden-brown curls jerked as if they, too, were fed up with him. This wasn’t the first time he and Madison had fought about his indecisiveness, but something about tonight was different.

Then he realized.

She was still dressed for work—she hadn’t come home and changed into jeans and a T-shirt. Hadn’t even kicked off her heels at the door.

He should have noticed that sooner.

We’ve been engaged for two years and haven’t set a date. Why are you staring at me like that? she asked, turning to face him full-on.

Because you’re leaving, aren’t you?

He couldn’t bring himself to say it.

He guessed that Madison hated his indecision because it reminded her of her own biggest weakness. As a couple, they had difficulty making decisions about everything. Picking a movie was too stressful, so they hadn’t been to the theater in a year. A week ago, the clerk at the local Pizza King had hung up on them because they were taking too long to choose toppings.

I love you, he repeated. Adore you. Can’t live without you. If anything would change her mind, it would be an appeal to her emotions.

Yeah, she said, deflating like a pricked balloon. I know you do. But, Alfred, I can’t live like this for another minute. I honestly can’t.

Okay, Maddie. I hear you. I was thinking about starting up with a therapist again next week.

Frustration flared in Madison’s wide brown eyes. "You were thinking about it, but you hadn’t decided. See, that’s the problem. Even now, you can’t make a decision about how to handle this, so you’re just sitting there on the couch like a lump, hoping everything will turn out fine in the end.

Well, I’ve got news for you. On Monday, I said it was the last time. You’ve used up an entire baseball game’s worth of strikes. Either decide where we’re going on vacation or… or I’m leaving.

The instant after the words had left her mouth, a sort of peace seemed to settle over her.

Well, thought Alfred. I guess she finally got around to saying the thing that was really bothering her.

Maybe it wasn’t too late. He cleared his throat. We’ll go to Virginia Beach. It’s not too far a drive… He trailed off. The long weekend was just days away. Virginia Beach would be packed with tourists, and all the best hotels would be booked—

Who cares about your reasons? All I wanted was a decision. She stalked out of the room, cursing under her breath.

She was still angry, but apparently his choice of Virginia Beach had bought him a reprieve. She would be upset for a bit longer, but within an hour, it would be like they’d never fought.

For the most part, their relationship was pleasant. They got along well, and there was enough physical attraction that Alfred never looked at other women in any serious way. They liked the same things—going for walks at dusk, TV drama marathons, playing with the neighborhood cat who sometimes joined them for a free meal. The cat’s visits had dropped off lately. All their discussions about adopting a kitten of their own? Better not think about that.

Madison came back into the room.

She still hadn’t changed her clothes.

Alfred watched her nervously. What’s wrong?

She touched trembling fingers to her temple. I’m sorry, she said. There’s someone else.

Alfred heard the words, muffled, as if wadded-up cotton had been shoved in his ears. He felt like he’d been kicked in the groin. The entire house seemed to be sinking into the earth. Yet he couldn’t move. What?

You heard me. She wouldn’t meet his eyes. It started a couple of weeks ago, a flirtation. Even if you and I weren’t together, I’d be taking it slow. It’s not about him.

Alfred stood on trembling legs. A fly buzzed around his head, and he swatted angrily at it. A flirtation? So you didn’t do anything… you know. You didn’t do anything that you can’t take back?

Of course not. I told myself I’d give you another chance.

Okay, he said. And I picked Virginia Beach.

Yeah, so you did that. But what next? Thirty hours of agonizing over which hotel to stay in and what time of day we should leave? Who should drive. She began ticking the list off on her fingers. What to pack. If we need two compact umbrellas or one large one.

It won’t be like that, Alfred insisted. You’ll see. If I screw up, then you can leave me. Hell, I won’t even blame you. But it’ll be better this time.

A trickle of sweat rolled down his temple.

Maybe it would be, but I’m not going to be around to find out.

She started