HE SHED SHE SHED

Walking alone down the winding road that led home his steps stuttered and stammered.damn why couldn’t alcohol just be about the high but then would he have enjoyed it if it hadn’t been for the drunken stupors and the cranky aching head in the morning. He’d started drinking again .the 13 Th time he’d quit not including the time he’d decided to quit between the third and 4 Th sip of brandy on his last birthday. Why shouldn’t he, argued there was no Christmas tree waiting for him? Just a wife who disappointed him by being disappointed with him. And 2 kids who cared more for their measly allowance than for their dull father. He stopped to light a cigarette on the way rustling through his pockets he found his last cigarette and struggled to light the damp matches. Finally managing to light one he smiled as he dragged in the first puff. Smiling over this small victory over a sea of defeats. The Christmas lights and decorations all around stared at him accusingly for killing the inexistent joy it had desperately conjured. He tried picturing his wife and gasped fearing he couldn’t picture her anymore but then slowly her picture cleared in his head sitting by the fireplace reading from the bible. Yes she had resorted to the only source of hope when all other resources dry out. He’d broken her too he’d never change she’d accuse hoping like a 12 year old trying out his first attempt at reverse psychology. He realized looking around that he’d continued to walk he was almost home. Contemplating the shouting session in store his steps slowed as if urging him to delay himself. But alas only so much could be done he could see his home now faithfully decorated by his children and wife since he wasn’t around he was never around. He chose to be .he could still feel the stifled air that tightened when he sat near them. Their silence openly commanding him to leave. He was their ugly duckling. Drawing a deep breath he knocked on the door anticipating the trial lying ahead. The door creaked open and there she stood wearing the dress she’d worn the day he’d proposed to her. He stood still although she’d moved back to let him in. slowly like a simple song his head rushed with all the emotions that rushed through him when he’d first laid his eyes on her. Moving forward carefully almost afraid he took her in his arms and kissed her she drew his love in almost as she’d known he’d kiss her like she’d read it in a fortune cookie knowing it was of course a farce but anticipating it all the same. Long they kissed only stopping to draw breath almost not wanting to breathe anymore. Tears staining each other’s cheeks both crying for different reasons the same reasons for each other for themselves. Locked in an embrace he feared if he’d let go he’d be no more. He had so much more to say she had so much more to say so they went on salty lips locked in a kiss of hope.