October 2023 Flash Lit 4 - Whatever Works

“When I make a word do a lot of work like that,” said Humpty Dumpty, “I always pay it extra.” Through the Looking Glass, chapter 6

 

 

 

 

Humphrey harumphed.  “Damn kid, lying around all day.”

 

Lorena poured him another cup of coffee and brushed away the crumbs from his toast.  She washed up the plates and the frying pan.  The sun shone through the cherry-patterned white curtains over the sink and turned the droplets of soapy water into iridescent gems on her wrinkled hands.  She dried them away and folded the towel neatly before hanging it on the handle of the dishwasher.

 

“I mean, why can’t he work a regular job?” Humphrey persisted.

 

Even though she knew better, Lorena said, “Lou works nights, remember?  They pay him extra to work that shift.”

 

Humphrey’s grumble didn’t coalesce into actual words, but the way he shook out the newspaper expressed his irritation.

 

“I’ll get your meds,” Lorena said.  She opened the cabinet by the sink.  The pills for the day nestled in their compartment marked with a W.  Lorena popped it open and shook them into her palm.  “Hold out your hand,” she said.

 

“Just put them down on the table,” he said.  “I’m not a child.”

 

Lorena sighed and gently took his hand.  She remembered when it had been straight and strong.  The thought of his hands when he was young made her almost blush, thinking about what he used to do with them.  But now the palm couldn’t lie flat and the fingers pointed in improbable directions, like they were in a constant argument about which way to go.  “You know you can’t pick them up again if I set them there.”

 

He glared, but accepted the pills.  He swallowed them with coffee.  As he put the mug down, he lost control of it and it dropped the last inch onto the table, sloshing liquid over the checked tablecloth and the sports page.

 

Lorena pretended not to notice the tears of frustration in Humphrey’s eyes.  She just dabbed up the coffee and gave him a kiss on top of his head.  “I’ll get on with my work now.”

 

She bustled out purposefully and shut the kitchen door behind her.  Then she let her shoulders slump.  He was getting worse.  But she’d have to make it work, somehow.  She collected her cleaning supplies from the laundry room and dusted and wiped and polished and swept.  The rhythm of the work soothed her so much that she forgot about Lou and started the vacuum.

 

His tousled head poked out of his room, “You ok, Gran?”

 

“Oh, Lou, I forgot!” she said.  “You go back to sleep.”

 

“It’s fine,” he said.  Lorena thought he probably actually meant it.  He was a nice boy and helped her with all kinds of things. 

 

“I’ll just go check on Gramps,” he said.  “And swipe some coffee.”

 

Once she was done vacuuming, Lorena went back to the kitchen.  Lou and Humphrey had their heads together, working the crossword puzzle.  They both looked happy.

 

Whatever works, she thought.