The Last Five Years

Drew

Poppy had been living with me for a few weeks now. She had been searching for a job, but no schools were hiring in the middle of the year. She spent most days cleaning up the apartment or out exploring.

It had been a long, rough day for me. I couldn't wait to get home, have a scotch, and just relax. I sighed, packing up my things. I was in such a hurry to get away from the hospital that I even forgot to take my lab coat off. I pulled into the garage, giving a tired sigh.

I walked into the apartment, and I immediately noticed tons of new paintings adorning the walls in the living room and kitchen. I put my keys and briefcase down in their usual spot, slowly walking around and looking at the paintings.

Poppy bounced out of her room, a big smile on her face. She tugged on the lab coat. "Ooh, look at you, Mr. Doctor."

I tilted my head to the side. "Poppy, what the hell are these?"

She shrank back, her smile falling. "Do you not like them?"

I shook my head. "Did I agree to hanging paintings all throughout my apartment? Because I certainly don't recall it."

Poppy crossed her arms, eyes narrowing. I knew I shouldn't have said it. "Oh, so now it's your apartment?" She paced the floor. "Drew, I'm just trying to my own touches to the apartment. It's so monochromatic and neat and you. There's nothing here for me that says 'this is home' and makes me feel at home. I've been here almost a month and still feel like a guest. You're just so damn anal about everything, you know that? That's one thing that hasn't changed." She walked around, trying to reach up and take the paintings down. I sighed, going to the kitchen to pour myself a drink.

"Poppy, I'm sorry. It was just a really long day, and I came home to something new. You know how I detest change, and honestly all of this has been a big change for me." I gulped down a scotch and poured another. "I'm trying to adjust, and I'm sorry that I'm not doing a very good job of it."

"Does that mean I can leave some of the paintings up?"

I sighed, looking around the apartment. "If you absolutely insist, then some of them can stay." I smiled, taking a sip of my drink. "But not that one." I pointed to the painting hanging above the television. "That one's hideous."