"How have you been?"
I stand before her, my back to her couch. It is decadance really. Everything flowery and soft as down.
I raise my arms and balance on my tip toes. A smile curls my lips.
She sits quietly in her chair. Her leg folded properly over her knee. Her foot never taps as mine does. I scowl at her light green loafers.
She smiles at me softly, knowing whats to come.
The scowl turns into a smile as I feel myself falling backwards...my hair flies as I fall. My giggle turns into a low moan as her couch ebraces me. Squishy.
I sigh.
Kick up my feet.
And clear my throat. "Fair to middlin"
She laughs softly and nods her head at me.
"Alright." she pauses "Care to expand upon that?"
I smile at her "Nope."
She sits back, clearly flustered.
"I come here for your couch really. No offense. I have 5 bucks care to sell it to me?"
"No. I certainly do not."
I think she frowned at me. I squinted my eyes at her to be sure, but she quickly pasted on a smile.
I can hear the tick tock of her clock. My eyes slide shut.My fingers rest on my belly.
"Love!" She exclaims
My eyes snap open and I frown at her. I am so insulted.
"What of it."
"Let's talk about it. You are in love yes?" She scoots forward on her chair. She just loves sinking her claws into my heart.
"I am in love? With whom...pray tell." I wave my hand at her and punctuate my words with a scowl.
"Last we met...." She stares at me.
I stare back.
"When you fall in love, everything is happy...balloons and butterflies that swirl about your belly..." My fingertips move over my stomach as I ramble on. "Then real life happens."
I close my eyes to block out her frown.
"Real life." She states.....dryly.
"MMhmm." I nod and sink my body further into the folds of her couch.
"How long have you been married?" I murmmer, my eyes still closed.
"22 years."
There is a smile and a sigh in her voice.
I smile back and ask softly "Do you love him with everything inside of you?"
Her hands raise over her heart and I swear her eyes glazed over a bit.
"With everything."
I lay there quietly, the clock ticking in time with my heart. Slow and steady.
I can feel her staring at me. Her eyes fall heavily upon me until I speak. "What happens then..when he does not love you back with everything inside of him?"
Her eyes meet mine.
"That. Is real life."
I close my eyes again.
