The Sound of Settling
She felt him get into bed; the familiar weight, the shift of the mattress, the desire to roll into him and hold on forever.
“Just got an e-mail from Ana’s teacher. She’s in trouble again. Fucking nightmare.”
She heard the words, but her mind wandered. Rain on the skylight reminded her of their wedding. It came in sheets, pelting against the stained glass windows of the church. It carried her to their honeymoon where they’d slept in hammocks on the beach, sought cover beneath a palm frond during a storm, and finally gave into the torrents to make love in the wet sand.
The baby cried. Like a lightning bolt she was back in their bed. Her chest tightened, not wanting to let go.
“Arghhh… Christ! For one second of peace…” his frustration was palpable, occupying the air around him. Neither moved in hopes that the cries would subside. She could still feel the sand on her back, in her hair; see his perfect face in the glow of the moonlight; hear the waves crashing against the shore. Her love filled the space of his frustration.
“Ben?”
“Mhmm…”
“Say it.”
“Say what?”
“You know…”
“It’ll be okay. I love you,” he whispered.
But as soon as he said it she knew it didn’t matter. It was a game of Chinese Whispers by now—only in their game it was the meaning that altered while the words stayed the same. She sighed. After a while it all lost its meaning…
© 2008 Alix Purcell
Comments
Ah yes Alix, nostalgia for times past. When marriage and love is subsumed by habit, routine, obligation and the “dreamless sleep of mediocrity.” How do we find the way back? I enjoyed this Alix. Reminded me very much of “the adulterous wife,” a short story by Albert Camus published in “Exile and the Kingdom.” There, Jeanne travels to Algeria with her husband, a salesman. Whilst he goes about his business, she is alone in the vast desert and feels propelled away from the mindless routine that has filled their lives. She recalls the grace and beauty of her youth, comparing a once lithe, supple body with the overweight figure she now sees in the mirror. Yearning for the simple joy of a youth lost, she clambers to the top of an old fort in the middle of an oasis. There, without her husband, she feels the earth wheel and spin, gazing in wonder at the stars in the vast sky. She feels an overwhelming moment of communion with the natural world and for a moment, time stands still. A great read…get your hands on it if you can.
crowe – thank you so much… what an encouraging comment. I haven’t read that particular short story by Albert Camus, but I am definitely going to now. You description of it is extremely compelling and it’s an honor to be compared … :) Thanks again! – Alix
– Alix Purcell
Interesting story Alix,
Unfortunetly the accepted norm of society, and you’ve captured it well.
Isaac – Thank you so much! It is sad that it’s become a norm at all… something I hope to work against in my own life for sure! Thanks again for reading – A
– Alix Purcell
i LOVE this take on the prompt, how wonderful..(i mean the writing & premise not the situation which is very sad & probably so true in so many cases)…so well expressed, love it! :-)
Thank you so much! I couldn’t figure out what else to do with it so I’m SO excited to read what other people did for the challenge… which I am about to do riiiight now :) Couldn’t think of a better way to spend the morning. Thanks again for reading Bex! – A
– Alix Purcell
Very good Alix – loved your opening sentence – hooked me.
Felicity, Thank you so much. I’m glad you were hooked right away… that seemed like such a familiar thing to me when I was writing it even though I’m not married and sleep by myself for the time being… lol ;) Thanks again for reading! – Alix
– Alix Purcell
Nice to see you writing. Good read! Enjoyed the sublime twist.
Thanks Bob! :) As always I appreciate you reading :) Hope you’ve decided to enter the contest as well… – A
– Alix Purcell
too often like that, sad that he needed prompting to comfort!
Murphyoso – It is sad… even sadder that were he asked if he doing his part as a husband he would probably say unequivocally yes!! Where’s the romance and comfort these days?? (And that’s not to say it doesn’t go both ways… wives do it too!) – Anyway… sorry for the rant :) Thanks for reading. – Alix
– Alix Purcell
it made me feel quite sad reading it; sometimes the distance between two people only inches apart can be far greater… I think you captured that well
Yes MickyMc that is just it! “sometimes the distance between two people only inches apart can be far greater.” Perfectly put. I might steal that ;) lol. Thanks for reading – Alix
– Alix Purcell
Sad and touching. Extremely well done.
It is sad! Thank you so much for reading and taking the time to comment! :) – Alix
– Alix Purcell
Excellent writing a great take on the prompt
Alison – Thanks so much for reading! Glad you like my take I’m hoping you entered and I’ll get a chance to read yours! – Alix
– Alix Purcell
Great writing Alix. The peeling back of human layers. Not bad to get that across in 250 words.
Anya – thank you so much! Yes, I definitely had trouble with the length. :) Thanks again for reading! – Alix
– Alix Purcell