Wednesday, August 15, 2007

let's have a fun situation

it was about twenty minutes after i royally fucked up the flight bookings with BA on the telephone. i had set the phone down on the oak table and walked outside to the grassy space between the high brick walls of the adjoining buildings. the grass was speckled with white weeds, puffy little things on flimsy green stalks. they bent under my feet as i stepped and sprang back to life as i passed.

halfway into the grassy space i noticed dozens of black dots amidst the grass. before i really knew what was happening, the bees were swarming my face. i began to wave them off but ceased, quickly realizing that being still would minimize my chances of a sting. a small one felt the wave though, and within seconds i felt the warm pierce near my right cheekbone. the rest buzzed about as i remained stiffly still, keeping even my breathing to a minimum. within seconds they'd all flown off, and i was left standing in a small patch of sun, sighing with relief.

inside i made my way up the oak stairway to the bathroom. glancing at my face in the mirror i saw no real harm done. must have been a baby bee, i thought, as the phone rang. i knew it was you. it was saturday morning and it was just natural you'd ring up with ideas and plans for the day.

you told me you were going to the grocery store and asked would i like to come. i told you of course, i love the grocery store. you laughed because you knew i did but also because you knew i meant of course, i love you, i'd go with you anywhere.

when you got there i found you at the bottom of the stairs in your light blue shirt speaking with william. i felt pride and warmth as the houseguests came pouring into the hall. i'm just going to have a quick shower, i said. but before i knew it, the teenagers had taken both bathrooms.

i heard sinks running as we smiled at each other.