What the hell's taking the wife so long? How long does it take to make a bloody sandwich these days anyway? What was that sound? Was that a crash? Oh, my God, she's gone and done it this time!
That second hip replacement was not a good idea. I told her time and time again not to carry both plates back from the kitchen. I'd tell her, Sweetie, be careful now, you only have two arms. 'For God's sake, Hank, two plates, two arms, you do the math.' A-a-a-h-h-h. God, how I loved that stubborn woman. Made the best darn ham and cheese on rye in town. It was the spicy mustard that made it stand out. Now it just gives me heartburn. A-a-a-h-h-h. I hope she doesn't forget. What was that sound? Was that a crash? If she breaks her hip again God knows what we'll do.
Maybe I should go check in on her. God, how I loved that stubborn woman. A-a-a-h-h-h. Our Saturday nights used to be so different. After our ham and cheese on rye, we'd put on a little Nat King Cole, run the bathwater, slip out of our skivvies… A-a-a-h-h-h. H-m-m-m. O-o-o-h-h-h. Yeah! She smelled like fruit. Like a goddamn potpourri of the wildest, most exotic, juiciest fruits you could ever imagine. Papayas and mangoes had nothing on this woman. A-a-a-h-h-h.
What was that sound? Was that a crash? Maybe I should go in and check on her. But hell, I can't move! What if something has happened to her? What the hell would I do? She always took such good care of me. I grumbled, I groveled, I gave up, I gave in, I grew distant…
What was that sound? Was that a crash? A-a-a-h-h-h. The crash.
Now, I've really gone and done it -- I've remembered. Each time I tell myself not to look back too long when I get this way. But no-o-o, I keep delving back there. A-a-a-h-h-h. What do I do now? Breathe, I used to tell myself. I remember that much, I think. I wonder how long I could hold my breath.
Edith? Edith? Are you there? Edith?
I'm not giving up, you know. I won't give in, you hear?
Edith? Edith? Are you there? Edith?
The distance -- do you see it? It's closing in.
Edith? Edith? Are you there? Edith?
*
M C R
This work is copyrighted by the author, David Woodward. All rights reserved.
