C4 antho - Chamber Four

For the Sake of the Children ~75~
* * * *
Owen keeps thinking of things he’s forgotten to tell
Susan. “Or maybe lemon sherbet is a better colour,” his wife
says. “But then again it shows the dirt so dreadfully. What do
you think, Owen?”
Michele prods him painfully. “Daddy’s gone to sleep
again,” she tells her mother who tuts. Owen keeps his eyes
shut as he thinks of Susan humming those tunes again and
again. He’ll make her a different tape soon. Wait and see how
long before she can’t get those songs out of her mind either.
He tries not to smile.
* * * *
Peter dreams he is shooting at a target of the Virgin
Mary. Over and over again, he picks up the rifle, lines up the
sights and shoots. Suddenly Dawn appears over the horizon
dressed in army combat kit. Stop, she shouts, putting her
hand up like a military policeman. Together they look at the
target. He’s made no mark.
Just then, Dawn rubs herself against Peter and he turns
to kiss her. “I love you,” she says and he hides his face in her
neck so she won’t see his tears. “Do you think,” she says, “do
you think we could just cuddle up tonight?”
“Oh god, how much I love you,” he says. “With or without.”
* * * *