I picked up hot cocoa
make and cookie dough to bake.
“I was going to call
you and tell you to pick up milk,” Graycen said as I walked in.
I put the groceries on
the table. The familiar sounds of rustling plastic calmed my nerves. Ella was
fast asleep. Chantel was reading a magazine on the couch.
“I got distracted,” I
said.
I grabbed a drink from
the fridge and sat down with Chantel and saw she was reading about the latest
cookware. She was perusing a new set of shiny Japanese knives. The latest in
cutting technology. I really didn’t give a shit unless she was planning on
slicing herself with them. As I cracked the beer can open, she turned to me and
wrinkled her nose.
“Do you really need to
drink that stuff right now?” Chantel asked.
I gave a big slurp in
response. Graycen plopped down next to me and tried to pry the can out of my
hand.
“Pick a different
coping mechanism, Daniel,” Graycen said. He thumbed through his book looking
all cool and nonchalant but I knew he was tracking my every move.
I drank more.
The warm silence of
flipping pages and concentration filled the living room. Everyone was absorbed
in their own little worlds. Everyone walked around with a perception of the
world and what they were owed by others. Rain splattered against the windows
and the wind howled like a lost child. It was a perfect night to stay in and
enjoy a good book.
I picked up a short
story book and read No is Yes by Paul Jennings and Lamb to the
Slaughter by Roald Dahl. They were creepy and interesting. I liked
short stories. They were easy to get through and had the liberty of
experimenting and being weird. They contained an abstract, dreamy essence that
I wanted to embody. A poetic, hideous observation of the world that I agreed
with. Everything could be manipulated; people, situations, behavior, even time.
I drank so much
Graycen dragged me to the bedroom.
I wanted Ella to be
happy. I loved her. I wanted what was best for her. I had to protect her. I had
to create a good life for her. I was responsible for her wellbeing.
I knew I did the right thing.