Nothing Is Everything by Simon Strantzas

Author:Simon Strantzas
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Undertow Publications

THE TERRIFIC MR. TOUCAN

IT’S YOUR BIRTHDAY present. At least, that’s what Jeffrey tells you.

“I’m going to take you out, gin you up, probably have my way with you.”

You chuckle and you blush because that’s what you do, even after thirty years, but you’re also happy to be doing anything that will get you out of the house and get your mind off Molly.

“I hope you picked someplace expensive,” you say while you pretend-fix your pretend hair-do. “I deserve to be treated right.”

“You do indeed,” Jeffrey says, then he winks and grabs at your waist to give you one of his bear hugs. You shriek and try not-very-hard to escape his clutches. And you almost feel like you used to.

Thirty years is a long time. After thirty years, you finally feel like you’re getting to know someone. Not what they watch on television or what their favourite ice cream is, but on a deeper level. You feel like you’re getting to know them almost as well as you know yourself. Those thirty years are a proving ground where you’re tested by all the garbage two people can go through. Those first few where you wonder if settling down was a mistake, the hardship of never having enough money, the countless hours of work where you come home too exhausted to say a word to each other. And once Molly is born you realize all that time you thought you never had was actually right there in front of you, and now that it’s completely gone a part of you resents her for it. A part of Jeffrey, too, you suspect, though neither of you will admit it. Which is fine: some things don’t get to be spoken out loud. But though the you and the Jeffrey that got married eventually slip away, you realize the you and the Jeffrey that have replaced them are more in tune than ever, and there’s no one left who understands you like he does, or him like you. Especially not Molly, who pushed against you with tiny hands when you first tried to feed her and has never stopped pushing. Understanding her will never be less than impossible, which only makes you appreciate Jeffrey more.

So when he tells you to dress up, but not too much, you know exactly what he means, even if he won’t tell you where you’re going. He keeps his mouth shut the whole way into town. It’s like that smile is kept on with screws. There’s not a sound from him as he parks the Monte Carlo on Jamieson Street, or as he rushes around the car to help you out. He’s mum as you walk the twilight streets, past the straggling commuters finally heading home to their families. You’re impressed by his commitment and can’t help but imagine all the different places you might end up. Will it be the opera? A fancy dinner at Le Papillon? Will you travel by carriage, or be surrounded by friends who are

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.