Beep beep! Cars and sunny yellow taxis honk at slime and waste covered garbage truck, they are all trying to cut in front of the snail paced moving vehicle, all the no nonsense drivers of NYC always gangs up against the trucks that block the road, doesn’t matter if it is working for the city to pick up the daily garbage that people throw out. The 34 year old blue collared worker hangs off the back of the garbage truck, his rubber gloves and Timberlake shoes helps him keep a firm grip on the truck. The setting afternoon sun shines on his blue Yankee’s cap, casting a dark shadow over half his face, his eyes never showed as the honking continued.
Reaching the next corner, 43rd and Amsterdam Avenue he hops off the still slowly moving truck and reached for the nearest black garbage bag. It was no surprise to him that this bag stinks too, it is like a rotting vegetable smell that doesn’t leave the nostrils, he looks up to see Big Joe’s Meat Diner, it’s the restaurant he frequently visits with his wife. It has been her favorite for over 8 months now. Freddy the waiter knows her usual, medium rare steak with seasoned onions and fries on the side. It was a surprise to him at first when she first started to come here every weekend, because she never liked steak in the past, actually, she absolutely hated steak. She said it was like chewing on a big piece of rubber, only worse because there was always blood running off of it. He finally asked her on their third visit, why she started to come here all of the sudden. It was in the same stall that they always sat in, where she gave him the second stroke inducing moment. That she was already 4 weeks pregnant.
He lifted up the last bag of trash from the sidewalk and tossed the bag into the grinding machine, not even a flinch as the bag exploded when the machine was trying to scoop it into the inner truck space. He walked around to the front of the truck to see that the sun has finally disappeared behind the buildings that surrounded him. As he sat down on the passenger seat of the truck, he took off his Yankee’s cap and wiped the condensed sweat off of his forehead on the rolled up sleeve, he can’t wait to go home and take a long steaming shower in their crowded bathroom. It used to be his favorite place to relax after getting home from work but now it’s piled up with all the baby towels and bathtubs that it’s started to get hard to walk around the apartment sized bathroom.
His phone deep within his pockets started to vibrate, taking off his glove one finger at a time, he picked up the call after the 4th vibrate. Taking a deep breath, he said: “Hi baby, need something?”
“Sal! Thank god you picked up, I was about to freak out, I forgot to buy it at the grocery store today when I went out. Can you pick it up for me on your way home?” She said all in one breath.
“Anything for you baby, I’m about to be done already. Be home at 5.” He replied to her, giving a glance at his partner in the drivers seat after hanging up the phone..
“The usual again Sal?” His partner asked, more like stated.
Sal nodded and looked out into the darkening skies and back to his phone, which he still clutched in his hands. Not even slight surprise show on his face as the phone screen showed 23 missed calls from Emma, anyone else looking at the screen might have guessed that something really wrong happened and she was desperately trying to get to him. But this was the usual, at least from the start of her pregnancy; she has been obsessed with getting her hands on a winning lotto in order to support herself and the baby.
Flashback: Emma had always disapproved of his job, same as her family but that didn’t stop her from marrying him. She had been hopeful and still is that eventually he would give into her and her family’s constant pestering and change life goals and career, but every time this topic comes up he would say what he had always said. That he was content with the life that he has now, and have no plans on changing it. The same conversation would always continue from her family’s house all the way back to their apartment, it was during the 3rd month of her pregnancy that she finally gave up on getting Sal to change his mind, he was too stubborn and inflexible to do anything she had always thought.
So she said: “Sal, baby I’m not going to pressure you anymore on changing your job, but you should know that a baby is coming and I’m going to have to stay home for a while. I just don’t think that our family could last on the income that you are having right now.”
He replied like how he had always done: “Honey, this isn’t about the money is it? I make plenty of money to support our family and the coming baby, but your point is whether we will be living in luxury. My income comes along with health care and pension, there’s nothing else I ask for other than those.” He had hit the sore spot yet once again, but she would not admit it. Admit that she wants him to get a better job to be free to get more stuff than what they already have.
She doesn’t like walking on the sidewalks much, it was always too congested for her to get around when she was still skinny, let alone when she is now 9 months pregnant. She decided to take the short cut that she had always taken when it was during the rush hour, it was in between the building ally ways. Sal had warned her to not do it because it was unsanitary and dangerous for her and the baby, but she just cannot put up with the people that are taking their sweet time walking slow on the sidewalks, she has Mania Sidewalk Syndrome something her psychologist made up for her and most of the NYC population. The people that cannot stand slow paced walkers on the sidewalk and end up enraged at the pedestrian. She was impatient, yes, that is why she is taking the short cut. This ally way was where all the backdoors of these high rises open up to, not a pretty sight but it was manageable for her.
Emma stepped out of the ally way and looked up to see the sun starting to set over New Jersey, it was a beautiful sight to behold, but something seemed to be off about it today. And it was not the setting sun’s fault, she felt out of place as the people walking on the side walk carried her along with the flow. All of the sudden, the patch of side walk was clear in front of her, she took a step into the empty side walk and noticed that everyone was forming a circle in front of the building and craning their necks to see up on top of the 14 floor high rise. She looked up to see for her self
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Saturday, March 19, 2011
8
Racism: Her white hair frizzed from the rain and the bright African summer dress contrasted the grey skies outside, she hoisted herself up the tall bus steps, a bit too slow for him. He snaked around her body and sat down at the last seat, he refused to give up his seat even as she eyed him. “Go back there… it’s where you belong.” He mumbled under his breath, loud enough so only the two of them could hear.
Ambition: What makes me get up every morning is what keeps me up at night, but I still keep torturing myself for this reason, my next pay raise is what is going to keep me afloat for rest of this year.
Growing Old: One white hair I can pluck out, taking out ten I can manage the pain. Turning grey I can cover up, those small wrinkles I can inject. But I can’t cover it all up, I will have to stop some day.
Salvation- I entered my personal pin on the keyboard the cashier gave me, it’s not even a month yet and I need to get more from the government. I give personal thanks to the American tax payers every night for that reason.
Poverty- This had been their way of life, their kids never really felt the need of wanting anything else because they never experienced such vanities, they are as pure as a person can be grown up in this kind of environment.
Growing Up: As I scotch taped my last box for my dad to carry downstairs, I laid my eyes on the frame of my door, colorful from years of markings of my height, I run my hands over the tallest mark made just today. “Baby’s off to college!”
Wealth- It's a mystery how power stands only among the elites.
Injustice: She turned around, her back violated. She kicked the tatted up man wearing baggy jeans in the shin, his face in disbelief distracted her from seeing the man carrying a brief case sneaking away, amongst the crowd in business suit.
Evil: His bitter laughter rings out from the darkness,
Sexual deceit: Red lipstick stains on his wife beaters, worn always under his crisp white dress shirt to work. In disbelief she threw it away, along with his underwear in the garbage can he got her for their 5th wedding anniversary.
Ambition: What makes me get up every morning is what keeps me up at night, but I still keep torturing myself for this reason, my next pay raise is what is going to keep me afloat for rest of this year.
Growing Old: One white hair I can pluck out, taking out ten I can manage the pain. Turning grey I can cover up, those small wrinkles I can inject. But I can’t cover it all up, I will have to stop some day.
Salvation- I entered my personal pin on the keyboard the cashier gave me, it’s not even a month yet and I need to get more from the government. I give personal thanks to the American tax payers every night for that reason.
Poverty- This had been their way of life, their kids never really felt the need of wanting anything else because they never experienced such vanities, they are as pure as a person can be grown up in this kind of environment.
Growing Up: As I scotch taped my last box for my dad to carry downstairs, I laid my eyes on the frame of my door, colorful from years of markings of my height, I run my hands over the tallest mark made just today. “Baby’s off to college!”
Wealth- It's a mystery how power stands only among the elites.
Injustice: She turned around, her back violated. She kicked the tatted up man wearing baggy jeans in the shin, his face in disbelief distracted her from seeing the man carrying a brief case sneaking away, amongst the crowd in business suit.
Evil: His bitter laughter rings out from the darkness,
Sexual deceit: Red lipstick stains on his wife beaters, worn always under his crisp white dress shirt to work. In disbelief she threw it away, along with his underwear in the garbage can he got her for their 5th wedding anniversary.
They have been roommates for over a month now, They walked into Key Foods, the packages stacked high in the aisles blocking out way like traffic during rush hour, it is driving Sam crazy already, he cant stand messes. Jack went to the produce aisle and picked up green and molding cheese, like the pizza that is currently rotting under his sofa bed couch.
“How about this one?” he asked Jack who is glaring at the messily stacked cans.
“it’s too expensive and stinky” replied Sam.
Jack put the cheese down where he was standing, completely different aisle from where the cheese used to be. As he walked towards Sam, the cart he is pushing knocked over a whole row of breads that was neatly organized in flavors and dates. Jack hurriedly stuffed all the bread lying on the floor back onto the shelf.
Sam furrowed his eyebrows “Jack, look at this mess. How will I ever find the freshest white bread now?”
Jack looked at the white bread in his hand and tossed it to him, “here’s the one that was made two days ago, I’m sure it’s still good.”
“That is true, sometimes I can’t always get the best out of the bunch. It’s like that people too.”
“How about this one?” he asked Jack who is glaring at the messily stacked cans.
“it’s too expensive and stinky” replied Sam.
Jack put the cheese down where he was standing, completely different aisle from where the cheese used to be. As he walked towards Sam, the cart he is pushing knocked over a whole row of breads that was neatly organized in flavors and dates. Jack hurriedly stuffed all the bread lying on the floor back onto the shelf.
Sam furrowed his eyebrows “Jack, look at this mess. How will I ever find the freshest white bread now?”
Jack looked at the white bread in his hand and tossed it to him, “here’s the one that was made two days ago, I’m sure it’s still good.”
“That is true, sometimes I can’t always get the best out of the bunch. It’s like that people too.”
Saturday, March 12, 2011
6
One of the most depressing city during the winter, lightless for most of the day and for months on end. This makes Norway have one of the highest suicide rate during winter. Two figures blended in with the grey surroundings, the shadow combined so tall and prominent behind the fog.
He walked down the empty block overcastted by the tall buildings making the street even shadier, he liked it there in Norway during winter because the feeling of isolation. A figure falls head first down the high-rise, diving towards the ground; he looked up and locked eyes with the figure.
Sam looked up to see her coming towards him, it was clear that Sally was committing suicide. But she looked so at peace, they were almost at eye levels. She looked like an angel falling from grace, her hair fanned out around her like a halo.
Should he panic, and run? But Sam was sucked in by her intense eyes and by her eerie yet peaceful face, what was the meaning behind her act? He was trying understand her reasoning, for such a beautiful person to fall out of the sky in front of him.
Yes, she is the angel. She has come to take me away with her, away from this place.
One of the most depressing city during the winter, lightless for most of the day and for months on end. This makes Norway have one of the highest suicide rate during winter. Two figures blended in with the grey surroundings, the shadow combined so tall and prominent behind the fog.
He walked down the empty block overcastted by the tall buildings making the street even shadier, he liked it there in Norway during winter because the feeling of isolation. A figure falls head first down the high-rise, diving towards the ground; he looked up and locked eyes with the figure.
Sam looked up to see her coming towards him, it was clear that Sally was committing suicide. But she looked so at peace, they were almost at eye levels. She looked like an angel falling from grace, her hair fanned out around her like a halo.
Should he panic, and run? But Sam was sucked in by her intense eyes and by her eerie yet peaceful face, what was the meaning behind her act? He was trying understand her reasoning, for such a beautiful person to fall out of the sky in front of him.
Yes, she is the angel. She has come to take me away with her, away from this place.
He walked down the empty block overcastted by the tall buildings making the street even shadier, he liked it there in Norway during winter because the feeling of isolation. A figure falls head first down the high-rise, diving towards the ground; he looked up and locked eyes with the figure.
Sam looked up to see her coming towards him, it was clear that Sally was committing suicide. But she looked so at peace, they were almost at eye levels. She looked like an angel falling from grace, her hair fanned out around her like a halo.
Should he panic, and run? But Sam was sucked in by her intense eyes and by her eerie yet peaceful face, what was the meaning behind her act? He was trying understand her reasoning, for such a beautiful person to fall out of the sky in front of him.
Yes, she is the angel. She has come to take me away with her, away from this place.
One of the most depressing city during the winter, lightless for most of the day and for months on end. This makes Norway have one of the highest suicide rate during winter. Two figures blended in with the grey surroundings, the shadow combined so tall and prominent behind the fog.
He walked down the empty block overcastted by the tall buildings making the street even shadier, he liked it there in Norway during winter because the feeling of isolation. A figure falls head first down the high-rise, diving towards the ground; he looked up and locked eyes with the figure.
Sam looked up to see her coming towards him, it was clear that Sally was committing suicide. But she looked so at peace, they were almost at eye levels. She looked like an angel falling from grace, her hair fanned out around her like a halo.
Should he panic, and run? But Sam was sucked in by her intense eyes and by her eerie yet peaceful face, what was the meaning behind her act? He was trying understand her reasoning, for such a beautiful person to fall out of the sky in front of him.
Yes, she is the angel. She has come to take me away with her, away from this place.
5
Inside the house:
With my toast still hanging half out my mouth, I rushed to put on my heels. Urgh! What a horrible day, no wonder I woke up late… Then all of the sudden I heard squishing noises coming from behind the front door, I tiptoes to look out the peep hole and all I saw was a guy wear a baseball cap. He was looking around of something behind me potted plants, surely he does not know about my hidden key. I comforted myself as I picked up my shoes and lightly walked to my bedroom barricading myself in, DAMN! I left my phone in front of the door with my bag! How will I call the cops now? I panicked and went to grab my bag, as I turned around I shattered the fragile vase next to me with my long hair. All noise halted from the outside.
From Outside:
Where was her key? She usually put it under that pot, I thought to myself. She’s always on time and precise I just need to get her present laid out then get changed into my suit, she doesn’t know that she’s getting promoted yet. Hehe I thought to myself, she’s going to get the big break today at work, I got some information from her boss. Then I hear things crashing into pieces in the house. A burglary?
With my toast still hanging half out my mouth, I rushed to put on my heels. Urgh! What a horrible day, no wonder I woke up late… Then all of the sudden I heard squishing noises coming from behind the front door, I tiptoes to look out the peep hole and all I saw was a guy wear a baseball cap. He was looking around of something behind me potted plants, surely he does not know about my hidden key. I comforted myself as I picked up my shoes and lightly walked to my bedroom barricading myself in, DAMN! I left my phone in front of the door with my bag! How will I call the cops now? I panicked and went to grab my bag, as I turned around I shattered the fragile vase next to me with my long hair. All noise halted from the outside.
From Outside:
Where was her key? She usually put it under that pot, I thought to myself. She’s always on time and precise I just need to get her present laid out then get changed into my suit, she doesn’t know that she’s getting promoted yet. Hehe I thought to myself, she’s going to get the big break today at work, I got some information from her boss. Then I hear things crashing into pieces in the house. A burglary?
4
I was trying to get a nice shot of the Times Square view through my Nikon lens, but it just can’t seem to focus from all the bright lights. All of the sudden I hear something eerily sounded like a truck skidding out of control, this guy is right in the path of the truck! He seems too absorbed in his new ipad 2 games to even notice the on coming truck, he looked up last second to see the bright pink hippo party truck coming at him. The first thing he did was press submit high score, and then closed his eyes.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Group Work
First-Raychel
Second-Amy
Third-Chris Franqui
Fourth-Trista
By the lakeside of Pantanoma, a house is found. It is a two story house painted with a shade of aqua blue.
He had gone for a walk in the park with her for their 1 month anniversary. The sky was blue and the sun was shining. Packs of fluffy white clouds floated through the air.
There had been a fair going on in Evergreen Park. There had been lots of people around, crowding up the view of the park.
“Let’s go look at that one,” Caroline had said, pointing towards a tent where they were selling jewelry.
There was a collection of different kinds of jewelry. There was a variety of necklaces, rings, and bracelets. Caroline kept her gaze locked on the set of necklaces.
“Do you like the necklaces, Honey?” said Keith. Caroline stayed quiet.
“Excuse me miss! I want to buy one of each of these necklaces please!” Keith had told the lady in charge of the tent.
“You don’t have to um----” said Caroline.
“No no, I insist,” said Keith, “You deserve the best.”
The lady handed over all of the necklaces. Caroline looked through all of the necklaces. Some were pink, rose, green, yellow, and many other different colors. There was one that stood out to Caroline. It was the color of aqua blue and shaped like a heart pendant. She took it in her hands and gazed at its beauty.
“You like that one the best honey?” said Keith.
“Yes,” said Caroline. “It’s my favorite color.”
The house is in great shape, since it wasn’t built too far back. It was most likely built just a couple months back or a year at most, no more than that. The white pillars that belong to the house are one of the best traits. The pillars hold carvings of ancient figures, handmade especially from Egypt.
They had gone to Egypt once. Their church had constantly planned this annual trip to different parts of the world. This time it had been to Egypt and they really wanted to go.
When they had arrived to Egypt, they were amazed at all the architecture. It had been different than what they had normally seen.
They had seen these pillars that Egyptians built. They had been carved with many different designs, which increased their beauty.
“Wow! I love these pillars baby. They look amazing!” said Caroline.
“Yes they are very wonderful and unique honey” said Keith.
The door of the house was a unique kind of door. It contained its designs of flowers and petals.
They had taken another walk in Evergreen Park. It had been spring time, and flowers had bloomed around the park. It had been a beautiful sight of flowers and petals roaming around them. A sight they enjoyed seeing.
“Oh how I love Flowers!” screamed Caroline.
The door contained all of the designs of flowers and petals on an unusual type of canvas. It had been carved on a material similar to that find on a mirror. Every time someone would come into contact with the door, they would view their reflection.
Keith had been walking around their house. He had been looking for Caroline. She was nowhere to be found. He had searched the living room and the bathroom. He found no one.
He had then gone into the room and saw a figure standing near the wardrobe in the room. They had been looking into something, but Keith wasn’t close enough to realize what it had been.
“Caroline what are you up to? I’ve been looking for you all over the place,” he said as he got closer to her.
He finally saw that she was looking into a mirror, fixing hair and makeup. He gazed at her and how beautiful she looked doing this.
“Oh how I enjoy mirrors” Caroline said.
Inside of the house, we found a dark and empty house. The air is chilly inside the house. No one seems to be home. In the living room, however, there is a figure of a person, a woman. It’s Caroline. She’s alone in that corner. She stares outside the window she’s sitting near. It’s a view of the lakeside and the people walking by with smiles across their faces. She gazes at them with desire and longing, as if she wished to be having fun by the waterside and enjoying quality time with people, but something is blocking her from doing that.
I see him come home from work as his Buick drives up the long driveway that is lined with peach trees. He exists his black Buick with his black suitcase in hand. His black suit is unwrinkled despite an eight hour work day. My husband takes the usual twenty steps to reach the front porch where I move to open the screen door at the same time. I reach out to him for a kiss as expected but on the inside it is driving me crazy that I know he will be eating steak tonight. “Hello, honey” he says. Keith holds my hand and we walk into the foyer together and he drops his suitcase at the doorway. In the foyer, there is a grand wooden staircase leading to double doors on the second floor. Straight ahead is the kitchen, to the right, the dining room and the left was the sitting room, with the large fireplace. To think only two years ago, the area I am standing in now had been an empty room, with wooden beams still missing, and the foundation weak with age. I had fallen in love with place and the man standing by my side. I had married the man I loved and he had built me a house of my dreams. The kitchen was just fitted with plumbing and the second floor was still being built. But just like our marriage, it was incomplete. I walk past the staircase and through the kitchen door. He follows me to the kitchen and asks, “What's for dinner tonight?”
I move to the oven and remove the sweet potato pie. “Tuesday steak, of course.” He moves to the dining room while loosening his tie. I place the pie on the counter and sigh. Every frustration I had moved through me and the suffocation was lessened. I watched the wind blow through the willow tree leaves through the kitchen window and I wonder how I am going to tell him after 5 years of marriage, I want a divorce. I bring the steak into the dining room because I know he is hungry. Life is too predictable.
Caroline kicked Keith's watch, as she cleaned the room.
What a disgusting thing she thought to herself.
Keith was such a mess. He was nothing like Roberto. Roberto was clean and organized. No one could be like Roberto.
He had taken Caroline to new heights this afternoon. His soft Ralph Lauren skin still left a mark on her arms, where he held her and made love to her. Keith could never go this far. His failure in bed was almost childish in a manner.
She folded the sheets and carefully rearranged her husband’s pillow. It was the pillow, where laid her head on, when she had told Roberto, "I love you." She had said the same thing to Keith and never meant it. She had said a lot of things to Keith and never meant it. She preferred to hide her hatred for Keith. It was better that way. She would stay with that miserable man. She would exchange anger for security because in the end, that was all that mannered.
Caroline scooped up the last vestige of Roberto, a small strand of his hair from off the pillow. She deposited the hair in the garbage can and walked back to bed. She changed into a dark velvet black robe and stretched out on the bed.
Now to be a good wife and smile at that bastard Kenneth, correction Keith, she thought. Even his name sounded disgraceful.
He wouldn't know a thing of what she and Roberto had done. Nor did he need know. Since she had stood by her man, she was a good wife.
Leaning against the kitchen counter with my jutting hipbones, I support myself as I chopped the onions to cubicles. The smell that usually gives me tears and hiccups did not bother me even the slightest bit today. He comes up behind me, ready with his usual issue for me to wipe me tears on. Today, I just stared at his outreached arm resisting the urge to tear it out of his callused hands and pushing him into the pan full of sizzling hot oil. “Its fine honey…” I murmured to him. He eyed my dry yet bloodshot eyes, and finally resting his eyes on my hands which are clenched into fists. As he turns around to leave the room, I twisted the 6 stove knobs to high with my shaking hands, the fire disappeared replaced by leaking lethal carbon monoxide, that will fill the house within 5 minutes. I reached down to scoop up my German shepherd puppy that is cowering under the dining table, and took my blackberry phone. I looked over my shoulder to make sure all the windows are shut, I took one step out the front door fighting against my conscience, then another, unknowingly I was one block away from my house already. I looked down at my cell phone, dialed the house phone. Behind me BOOM, sirens and the smell of smoke over whelmed me. I calmed my whimpering puppy “It’s okay, don’t worry mama is here. We are going to our new house.”
Second-Amy
Third-Chris Franqui
Fourth-Trista
By the lakeside of Pantanoma, a house is found. It is a two story house painted with a shade of aqua blue.
He had gone for a walk in the park with her for their 1 month anniversary. The sky was blue and the sun was shining. Packs of fluffy white clouds floated through the air.
There had been a fair going on in Evergreen Park. There had been lots of people around, crowding up the view of the park.
“Let’s go look at that one,” Caroline had said, pointing towards a tent where they were selling jewelry.
There was a collection of different kinds of jewelry. There was a variety of necklaces, rings, and bracelets. Caroline kept her gaze locked on the set of necklaces.
“Do you like the necklaces, Honey?” said Keith. Caroline stayed quiet.
“Excuse me miss! I want to buy one of each of these necklaces please!” Keith had told the lady in charge of the tent.
“You don’t have to um----” said Caroline.
“No no, I insist,” said Keith, “You deserve the best.”
The lady handed over all of the necklaces. Caroline looked through all of the necklaces. Some were pink, rose, green, yellow, and many other different colors. There was one that stood out to Caroline. It was the color of aqua blue and shaped like a heart pendant. She took it in her hands and gazed at its beauty.
“You like that one the best honey?” said Keith.
“Yes,” said Caroline. “It’s my favorite color.”
The house is in great shape, since it wasn’t built too far back. It was most likely built just a couple months back or a year at most, no more than that. The white pillars that belong to the house are one of the best traits. The pillars hold carvings of ancient figures, handmade especially from Egypt.
They had gone to Egypt once. Their church had constantly planned this annual trip to different parts of the world. This time it had been to Egypt and they really wanted to go.
When they had arrived to Egypt, they were amazed at all the architecture. It had been different than what they had normally seen.
They had seen these pillars that Egyptians built. They had been carved with many different designs, which increased their beauty.
“Wow! I love these pillars baby. They look amazing!” said Caroline.
“Yes they are very wonderful and unique honey” said Keith.
The door of the house was a unique kind of door. It contained its designs of flowers and petals.
They had taken another walk in Evergreen Park. It had been spring time, and flowers had bloomed around the park. It had been a beautiful sight of flowers and petals roaming around them. A sight they enjoyed seeing.
“Oh how I love Flowers!” screamed Caroline.
The door contained all of the designs of flowers and petals on an unusual type of canvas. It had been carved on a material similar to that find on a mirror. Every time someone would come into contact with the door, they would view their reflection.
Keith had been walking around their house. He had been looking for Caroline. She was nowhere to be found. He had searched the living room and the bathroom. He found no one.
He had then gone into the room and saw a figure standing near the wardrobe in the room. They had been looking into something, but Keith wasn’t close enough to realize what it had been.
“Caroline what are you up to? I’ve been looking for you all over the place,” he said as he got closer to her.
He finally saw that she was looking into a mirror, fixing hair and makeup. He gazed at her and how beautiful she looked doing this.
“Oh how I enjoy mirrors” Caroline said.
Inside of the house, we found a dark and empty house. The air is chilly inside the house. No one seems to be home. In the living room, however, there is a figure of a person, a woman. It’s Caroline. She’s alone in that corner. She stares outside the window she’s sitting near. It’s a view of the lakeside and the people walking by with smiles across their faces. She gazes at them with desire and longing, as if she wished to be having fun by the waterside and enjoying quality time with people, but something is blocking her from doing that.
I see him come home from work as his Buick drives up the long driveway that is lined with peach trees. He exists his black Buick with his black suitcase in hand. His black suit is unwrinkled despite an eight hour work day. My husband takes the usual twenty steps to reach the front porch where I move to open the screen door at the same time. I reach out to him for a kiss as expected but on the inside it is driving me crazy that I know he will be eating steak tonight. “Hello, honey” he says. Keith holds my hand and we walk into the foyer together and he drops his suitcase at the doorway. In the foyer, there is a grand wooden staircase leading to double doors on the second floor. Straight ahead is the kitchen, to the right, the dining room and the left was the sitting room, with the large fireplace. To think only two years ago, the area I am standing in now had been an empty room, with wooden beams still missing, and the foundation weak with age. I had fallen in love with place and the man standing by my side. I had married the man I loved and he had built me a house of my dreams. The kitchen was just fitted with plumbing and the second floor was still being built. But just like our marriage, it was incomplete. I walk past the staircase and through the kitchen door. He follows me to the kitchen and asks, “What's for dinner tonight?”
I move to the oven and remove the sweet potato pie. “Tuesday steak, of course.” He moves to the dining room while loosening his tie. I place the pie on the counter and sigh. Every frustration I had moved through me and the suffocation was lessened. I watched the wind blow through the willow tree leaves through the kitchen window and I wonder how I am going to tell him after 5 years of marriage, I want a divorce. I bring the steak into the dining room because I know he is hungry. Life is too predictable.
Caroline kicked Keith's watch, as she cleaned the room.
What a disgusting thing she thought to herself.
Keith was such a mess. He was nothing like Roberto. Roberto was clean and organized. No one could be like Roberto.
He had taken Caroline to new heights this afternoon. His soft Ralph Lauren skin still left a mark on her arms, where he held her and made love to her. Keith could never go this far. His failure in bed was almost childish in a manner.
She folded the sheets and carefully rearranged her husband’s pillow. It was the pillow, where laid her head on, when she had told Roberto, "I love you." She had said the same thing to Keith and never meant it. She had said a lot of things to Keith and never meant it. She preferred to hide her hatred for Keith. It was better that way. She would stay with that miserable man. She would exchange anger for security because in the end, that was all that mannered.
Caroline scooped up the last vestige of Roberto, a small strand of his hair from off the pillow. She deposited the hair in the garbage can and walked back to bed. She changed into a dark velvet black robe and stretched out on the bed.
Now to be a good wife and smile at that bastard Kenneth, correction Keith, she thought. Even his name sounded disgraceful.
He wouldn't know a thing of what she and Roberto had done. Nor did he need know. Since she had stood by her man, she was a good wife.
Leaning against the kitchen counter with my jutting hipbones, I support myself as I chopped the onions to cubicles. The smell that usually gives me tears and hiccups did not bother me even the slightest bit today. He comes up behind me, ready with his usual issue for me to wipe me tears on. Today, I just stared at his outreached arm resisting the urge to tear it out of his callused hands and pushing him into the pan full of sizzling hot oil. “Its fine honey…” I murmured to him. He eyed my dry yet bloodshot eyes, and finally resting his eyes on my hands which are clenched into fists. As he turns around to leave the room, I twisted the 6 stove knobs to high with my shaking hands, the fire disappeared replaced by leaking lethal carbon monoxide, that will fill the house within 5 minutes. I reached down to scoop up my German shepherd puppy that is cowering under the dining table, and took my blackberry phone. I looked over my shoulder to make sure all the windows are shut, I took one step out the front door fighting against my conscience, then another, unknowingly I was one block away from my house already. I looked down at my cell phone, dialed the house phone. Behind me BOOM, sirens and the smell of smoke over whelmed me. I calmed my whimpering puppy “It’s okay, don’t worry mama is here. We are going to our new house.”
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