Humble Monster

too.Sometimes he was grouchy in the morning.

Her hands flutter above the countertop touching upon glass and metal in the most careful of ways.Her hands could be clumsy.This was not the time to be clumsy with things.She measures a perfect teaspoon into a smoking cup of coffee and smiles at herself."ONLY a teaspoon of sugar and not a crystal more..Yes..!!That is exactly how he likes it"

:"Your coffee is ready"she sings and turns to put his cup before him.She bends low to study his face and backs away when he refuses to meet her eyes.

"What is the matter ,dear?It is such a wonderful day and you sit there with your glum self.Me...??..

Oh,...I had the most beautiful dreams of parties filled with music.Everyone excited and dancing.and dressed so fashionable."she becomes suddenly serious,"You must have thought this is why I have worn the dress you forbid me to wear.You say it hurts your eyes and I am so sorry if it upsets you.But the other clothes are dirty,and this dress doesn't pull at the stitches."

Her face becomes animated as she limps across the linoleum"I wish so badly to dance again..but these feet won't carry me like they used to.

She pauses reflecting...Don't you think the colors are lifting?Well,I know you detest florals..but...you can see none of the scars or bruises..Isn't silly that I worry about such things like modesty.Thank God I have you to think of such things for me".

She presses the dress down with her hands and glances about the spare kitchen.She is grateful he is not noticing her banter.But she hasn't spoken to him in so long she cannot contain herself and decides to change the subject.

My,my,it's much to pretty of a day to be shut up like some old bats in a cave.Is it O.K. to raise the kitchen window a tiny bit.?..I promise not for long..and only a tiny bit..She watches him...and he still ignores her with his face in a paper.

Keeping an eye and an ear out for protest..she walks to the small curtained window and pulls so carefully as not to open it too far.

This will upset him as well.

She sighs with relief as it inches to exactly three inches...Just perfect...how could he complain?

"See..??,she gestures,"Isn't it a lovely day?You can just feel the breeze taking away every foul odor stuck in this house."

It's too cold

She snaps from her musings..."Did you say something dear?"She focuses on him.

It's too cold.....

"Oh,nonsense...Too beautiful of a morning to complain..The stuffiness in this house has done horrors to your complexion.But of course it has all been my fault for being such a burden to you with my illness and all ."

"Keep busy" she reminds herself...He must be starving..and stop talking so much as it annoys him..