By Stephen Riordan<\/p>\n
\n
Iris washed down the Prozac tablets with a mouthful of white wine. Its bitterness lingered at the back of her throat. The gravy was bubbling behind her. She turned and stirred it to stop it from going lumpy. Deep orange light filled the kitchen as the sun was setting. Iris went over to the sink and closed her eyes against the warmth of the sun. Her light dress drifted with the breeze. She sighed as she felt the tablets and wine sweep a lightness through her.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
She opened her eyes and there he was. Frank, just back from work at the office. The top button of his shirt was open, his tie loose. Gliding over to him, she wrapped her hands around his neck. She felt his arms around her and his hands on her lower back.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cI missed you,\u201d she whispered. \u201cDinner\u2019s nearly ready.\u201d She returned to the cooking as he made his way into the sitting room. Within a few minutes, the dinner was set on the table. Roast potatoes, lamb chops, vegetables and gravy crowded the plates.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Iris went into the sitting room to fetch Frank. He was sprawled out on the couch, fast asleep. There was some ridiculous western on the TV. Sitting next to him, she ran her hand over his jaw. The light stubble tickled her fingers. His lips were parted and soft. She could feel his warm breath across her hand. \u201cHe looks just like a boy when he sleeps,\u201d she thought.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
She turned down the sound on the TV and sat down to dinner alone in the dining room. The clock\u2019s tick echoed through the room. Once she had finished and cleaned up, she returned to the sitting room to find it empty. The TV was off. \u201cHe can eat the dinner tomorrow,\u201d she thought as she covered his plate with cling film and put it in the fridge.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Climbing into bed, Iris felt relaxed and drowsy. Frank\u2019s arm wrapped around her middle as he moved up behind her. His body heat lulled her to sleep. She fell asleep.<\/p>\n
*<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Iris awoke to the glaring morning light. Children were playing and screaming outside. Her hand slid to the other side of the bed but it was empty. Frank\u2019s departure hadn\u2019t aroused her. She plodded over to the wardrobe and there were all his clothes, neatly arranged. They had that familiar musk to them. A polka-dot dress caught her eye. It had looked charming on her at last year\u2019s Fourth of July celebrations. The fabric ruffled against her skin as she closed the wardrobe, shutting him away from her. Once she had showered and dressed, she made her way downstairs.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Iris wiped the sweat beads from her forehead as she hung out the washing. \u201cIt\u2019s a day for an iced tea,\u201d she thought. \u201cA long-island <\/i>one,\u201d she smiled.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
There was an array of her clothing on the line: blouses, sweaters, bras, underwear. She had just finished when there came a knock on the door. She swept through the house and answered it.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cHi Emily. How are you?\u201d she greeted. Emily bustled into the sitting room. They sat down to lemonade and were chatting.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cYou should come out for a couple of drinks tonight, Iris? The girls and I are going dancing.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cOh that sounds nice. I\u2019ll just have to let Frank know first.\u201d Emily\u2019s face faltered as she stared at Iris. \u201cY-you know,\u201d Iris continued, \u201cI just don\u2019t want to leave him by himself without any notice.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cOk that\u2019s fine.\u201d Emily took a sip of her tea. There was a silence and Emily looked around the room. \u201cThe place looks spotless by the way,\u201d she suggested with a smile. \u201cThere isn\u2019t a picture out of place or a speck of dust on anything.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, I still have a lot more cleaning to do.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat? The place looks spick and span,\u201d she laughed.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, it\u2019s nice to keep the place tidy.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t I know it? If only my house were as clean as this.\u201d They both laughed. A silence fell. \u201cWell, I better be off. I\u2019ve got to get some stuff for the dinner, and poor Jimmy\u2019s running a fever.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cIs he? He\u2019s probably delighted he gets to stay home from school.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cA little devil is what he is,\u201d Emily arose from the chair.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cOk, thanks for stopping by. I\u2019ll give you a call later after I talk to Frank.\u201d Emily\u2019s smile fell slightly but she quickly regained her composure with a crinkled smile, her eyes squinting.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cNo problem, that\u2019s fine. I\u2019ll see you later Iris. Bye-bye.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cBye.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Iris returned to the sitting room, shut the door and heaved a sigh. She glanced around the room. Her eyes fell upon a photo of Frank. He was smiling that wide grin, as he always had.<\/p>\n