The Life Of Michael Afton

{4} Distance

Kathy scrubs at the dishes, washing them in the sink. Her mind wanders, as it always does, to William. He's been a little distant lately...I know his work is a lot, but I wish he was home more often.

"Maman!" Kathy turns to see Michael toddling towards her, fat tears in his heterochromatic eyes. She instantly puts the dish down and takes off her gloves, crouching to pick up her distraught child. "What's wrong, Mikey?"

His lip wobbles, "I-mi-mi! Mimi fell and, and she don't like it! She, she's crying and really sad! Maman, help!"

Kathy sucks in a breath. "Oh no, where did she fall?"

"Upstairs! In Daddy's office!" He points towards the staircase, clinging tightly to her as she stands.

She rushes up the stairs, turning into the office. Sure enough, Imira is sitting on the ground, crying.

"Oh dear..." Kathy puts Michael down, kneeling in front of her daughter. "Imira, are you okay?"

She shakes her head vehemently, her black hair whipping around her face. "No! It hurts!"

"Can you tell me where?" Kathy carefully reaches towards her face, brushing a tear away.

"My foot hurts..." Imira is quieter now, thankfully. Kathy looks at her foot and sucks in a breath— a long scrape along the side of it is nearly bleeding. She needs to talk with William about toddler-proofing his door so they won't hurt themselves.

"I don't think it's broken, but you have a little scrape on your foot. I'll get you a band-aid, okay?"

Imira nods, tears mostly gone. "Okay, Maman..."

Luckily, the scrape isn't deep, so she just dabs a bit of rubbing alcohol on it. "Imira, I know it hurts but it's so you don't get sick from it." The toddler squirms anyway, and Kathy can't blame her. But she's done quickly, so Michael and Imira go back to playing (in a different, safer room, of course.)

Later that night, Kathy waits up to talk to William. The children have been put to bed and she's finishing her dinner when he comes in.

"Bonsoir mon chou, how was work?" She puts her silverware down and goes to heat up his plate.

"Tiring," he replies, sitting down heavily in his chair. Kathy places his dish in front of him, and he digs in.

She eats slowly, not wanting to just sit at the table with nothing to do. "William," she starts.

"Yes, love?"

"The children... um..." She pauses. Is this really as big a deal as she thinks? Kathy doesn't want to seem clingy...

"What about the children? Are they alright?" She can see a bit of worry in his face. He cares so much, he might take this the wrong way...

"Um...they were in your office and Imira cut herself on something. Would you mind locking your door so they can't get in?"

He nods. "Sure, I can do that. Can't have my kids getting hurt, can I?"

Kathy smiles. "Of course not. She's fine now, don't worry." And that's the end of their conversation.

Later that night, Kathy sits on the couch. William has gone to bed, and she was going to read, but... she can't help regretting the conversation. I wish I'd told him... but I don't want to hurt his feelings. What if he feels like he has to quit his job because of me? I don't want him to feel like I need him to do anything— I don't want to come off as too dependent on him or anything.

Kathy closes her eyes. Why is this so complicated? It's not even a huge deal...

603 words
3/28/23
(Bold means it's in French by the way)