C4 antho - Chamber Four

~74~ The Chamber Four Fiction Anthology
crashing plates against each other as he clears the dishwasher
so she won’t have to do it although it’s the one job she enjoys.
She likes taking her time, putting things back in their place,
playing house. It’ll take time to pacify him tonight, she thinks.
She’ll have to be extra docile, think of things she wants him to
do for her. Later, she promises herself.
* * * *
Michele and Kevin Jones play at spending daddy all
evening. It’s the kind of non-participatory game Owen normally
enjoys because he can doze on the sofa as his legs get
chopped off for mountain bikes, skateboards and even, yes,
why not, a sports car for mummy, while his fingers are buying
a new computer game each. If only, Kevin thinks as he
looks at his father and shakes his head. As the spending goes
on it hurts Kevin more and more. His wants turn into needs.
By the time he goes to bed, he is too angry to sleep. It’s not
fair. So much he can’t have.
* * * *
Susan stares at herself in the mirror. She’s aware her
posture has changed even over the last week, her hips thrusting
forward, her knees locked as if to bear the weight. Surely
it would only be a matter of time before people notice. There
must be a job she can do in the background for the next few
months. If she sits tight enough into the reception desk
would it show? She couldn’t bear her life without her job. She
sings the way you look tonight as she thinks of Owen Jones
weaving miracles on his own. Without her. She’ll tell him.
He’ll sort it out for her.