The Blue Door...continued (part 9)

Mounds of laundry quietly dispersed throughout the afternoon. Suitcases were brought out from closets to air. Bathrooms were cleaned, linens changed. The refrigerator emptied. The all day affair had left both Marta and Richard physically exhausted.

“I’ll put the trash out Monday morning…Before we head out!” Richard yelled up the stairs.

Marta stood frozen, analyzing herself in the bathroom mirror. Shallow fine lines trailing across her forehead, thinning skin on the back of her hands, age spots masquerading as freckles. When did this happen, she thought.

“It’s the lighting”

Marta jumped back, knocking her elbow against the door frame. “Fuck! You scared me to death.”

“You should have seen your face just now.” Richard laughed.

Marta laughed, rubbing her elbow. “Oh well, this is going to bruise.”

Richard flicked off the bathroom lights. “I think we’re done. All that’s left is to pack things up, maybe a small load of laundry in the morning.”

“That’s a relief.”

“I think we should get cleaned up, maybe head over to the tavern for some dinner. The fridge is empty.”

“Okay. I think I’m going to lay down for a bit if you want to shower first.”

…

The sun drifted and waffled while the curtains swayed gently with the breeze. The smell of hyacinths in bloom. Marta lay on the bed, entranced by the light and the warmth, the subtle fuzz of Richard in the shower. She defocused causing the room to blur around her, only turning her head once more to squint at the clock before closing her eyes to sleep.

…

“It’s okay, you can sleep.” She said while stroking her daughters hair.

…

“Hey…” Richard cupped one of Marta’s feet in his hand. “Did you fall asleep?”

“Just for a moment.” She said while sitting up in bed, wiping the sleep from her eyes.

Marta transitioned her thoughts quickly and rose from the bed.

“I won’t be long.” She said while collecting some clean clothes to change into after her shower.

Marta pushed past the breeze that was flushing through the house now. No longer gentle, but hurried and furious. The screens in the windows bulged and whistled. Spring felt bipolar and restless, like the city. She couldn’t wait to abandon their current reality and set foot on the shore.

Rebel followed Richard as he went from room to room closing windows and drawing blinds. Popping in to survey Hannah’s room. A quick and quiet peak. The blinds were already closed. He opted to leave the door open. Rebel walked in, did three circles on the rug in the middle of the floor and lay down.

Richard tapped on the bathroom door, careful not to alarm his wife.

“Yeah?” Marta said while rinsing the shampoo from her hair.

Richard peaked into the shower. “I have a better idea. Let’s leave tomorrow morning.”

Marta turned off the water and gave her hair one final twist to ring out any excess water. Richard handed over a bath towel.

“That is a better idea.” Marta said while wrapping the towel around her body.