That's not it

It amuses me how small, seemingly meaningless moments can completely alter the course of one's day. Perhaps even one's life. I told her that I couldn't have known what would happen. I couldn't have known my actions would set in motion the events that took Karim's life. Sitting in my chair, I felt myself drifting out of the conversation. Her yelling blurred into a raging hum, and I no longer was concerned about the boy.

"...give them what they wanted?" She spoke softly right in front of my face. I realized there was no escaping this conversation.

"What?" I replied obnoxiously.

"Did you give them what they wanted, did you pay them?" She asked.

She was putting all of her energy into looking calm, but I could tell that underneath she was ready to explode the second I told her the answer she already knew was coming.

"Of course I didn't." I said matter-of-factly. "I didn't pay them. I wasn't going to pay them. Knowing what I know now, I still wouldn't have paid them." She cried harder. I heard the door slam and she was gone. I looked at the dimly lit doorway and smiled.

I could only hope the lie might save her life.