Coiled (Book 1 of 2)

Journal Entry No. Three

From the Private Journal of XXXXXXXXXXXXXX (Name Redacted).

Dated only by year, not month: 1979.

There hasn't been anything worth writing about

- Trust me on that -

But tonight - tonight I am SO ANGRY

FURIOUS, REALLY

And since I've absolutely no other way to unburden myself, a journal entry will have to suffice

...

... What it all comes down to is this:

What gives HIM the right?!

And just who the hell does he think he is???

... It all started early this morning, when she knocked on my door

Of course, I was already awake

Awake and well aware of her long before she announced herself to me

From my place in bed, I hear the shuffling of her uncertain feet

Just as I watch her shadow flit back and forth beneath the door for nearly 15 minutes

Before she finally plucks up the courage to knock

And I'd be a liar if I said I wasn't secretly thrilled at the idea of her and I alone in my bedroom

... Though I'm probably wrong for that

The knock, when it finally came, was light

Light and timid

But that's the way she is with me

I can't really fault her for that, though

And as I call for her to enter, I fight my way upwards into a seated position

My wretchedly frail wrists struggling to support me in my endeavour

But I can't do it, and as she's shutting the door, I fall back down against my pillow

I, this pathetic excuse of a shadow

And though I attempt to play it off, I see in her eyes the way she immediately registers exactly how weak I've become

... As if she didn't already know

Upon reaching my bedside, she hesitates

The two of us staring at one another in uncertain silence

Finally, slumping forward, it's with great difficulty that I pat at the side of the bed, "Sit with me?"

Stay awhile, here with me?

Because I'm far too lonely

Though I can't stand to say it outright

Nodding, she sinks down at my side

"Good morning," I whisper

"Good morning."

And then more silence

Before she finally speaks again, "You didn't come to my room last night ..."

It's become our habit, my slipping in at night to share her bed

Though not at all in the way you think -

It's purely a matter of companionship and absolutely nothing more