What Do You See?

19

The creaking woke me up. This apartment didn't have noisy wooden floors, so it must've been one of the doors. I looked for Theo, and when I failed to see him, I started panicking.

Convincing myself that Bianca wasn't anywhere near us, I walked to the door. Baby Rosie's roomlight was switched on, and I was instantly transported into the scene from Repunzel in which she was getting kidnapped.

I walked closer, closer until I saw what was going on. Theodore was hunched in a rocking chair, a milk bottle falling out of his hand, and Rosie in his arms. His hair was disheveled, and his eyes were shut.

I switched off the light, watching as the two of them relaxed against each other. I took the bottle and placed on the desk. Easing Rosie into my arms was a mission, especially since I was trying not to wake Theo. However, no such luck happened.

"Leave her alone! Why are you taking her away?"

"I-" his eyes were still closed. So I tried again.

"Mom?" He rubbed his eyes, ridding himself of his groggy state.

"It's Mindy, " I whispered.

Without replying, he put Rosie in the crib and pulled me out of the room and into the kitchen.

The coffee machine clinked into life and a small whirring indicates that the brewing had begun.

I sat on the counter, my legs swinging to a beat.

"Milk and sugar?" He asked.

"Milk, three sugars."

His eyebrows raised as he poured in three teaspoons of sugar into my mug.

"You know," He said, "Maybe it's the sugar overdose that's keeping you up."

"Highly unlikely. Maybe it's just because you're on my mind."

His head turned sharply towards me, causing his black coffee to slosh and stain his shirt. He hissed in pain, hastily pulling of the shirt.

I sat with my head tilted, watching this all occur.

"Take a picture, it will last longer."

My face heated, "I wasn't staring at... at you. I was just noticing your unique methodology to relieve burn pain."

"What? You've never done this before?"

"Rub turmeric on a wound? Never."

"My granny used to say that turmeric was the king of healing agents."

"I'm not so sure I believe in that."

"Well, she did last till 93."

"Wow, and you? How long do you expect to live until?"

"I'd like to die young.  Like maybe 45."

"That's somewhat depressing."

"Why? I feel like most people are afraid to face the truth that they will die."

I scrunched my nose in thought, "I'm not sure that I'm afraid to die. I just wouldn't want to live too long that I know my death is coming. And obviously, I wouldn't want to die too early, cause then I would feel unfulfilled."

"And that's why I picked 45."

I yawned, despite the cup of coffee that was almost finished. Sighing, I rested my head on the wall behind me.

"Are you and your dad okay?"

"Peachy. We'll get through it after the sessions he'll have me go to."