the mirrors hung, no more than an inch apart, all through the house. wall to wall, ceiling to ceiling. the reflective glass, housed in all sorts of frames and boxes. kitchen cabinets faced with flat panes of mirrored glass. coffee mugs and beverage glasses, circled mirrors in their bottoms, scattered on mirrored tables and vanities. the ceilings showing floors.
an old woman, aged but well kept, sits expressionless on a white sofa staring into her empty coffee mug. she has been alone for years, without visitors, without family. until now.
a child peers through the window at her. a dirty child, ruffled and smiling.
'what is your question?' she asks.
the child's eyes bounce wildly from the walls to the furniture, to her coffee mug. back to her.
'ah' the old woman says. 'the easiest person to fool is yourself. I am just keeping an eye on things.'
the child swallowed its smile, and ran a hand through its mussed hair.
