Cracks
by Stephen Toase
[ fiction - february 11 ]
Our house cracks so we don't. Each split in the plaster an argument we didn't have, every hairline fracture in a teacup a cross word unsaid.
We have a tricky balancing act to maintain. There is no point in marital bliss if we are enjoying it scrambling to bed through a pile of rubble. So we schedule a minor disagreement every other Thursday. You tried to fill in the unsightly gaps in the landing wall, but as expected this brought on more shouting. Mainly about plastering.
When Valentine's Day comes around, to enjoy the romantic mood, we compete to see who can smash the most crockery.
There was the unfortunate time your mother came to visit. We had to demolish the kitchen wall for safety's sake.
Do you remember last Christmas? Your little faux pas with the boss at the office party? I kept my temper and didn't mention it while we had family over. Christmas dinner was cold though, when the conservatory fell down.
I was over the moon when the doctor said you were pregnant. Children can bring so much joy. They say parenthood isn't always plain sailing. There can be problems, especially when they turn into teenagers. But don't worry. I've started preparing for all the temper tantrums and arguments about curfews. I don't know where I'm going to store all the bricks and cement for the next twelve years though.
