Little Wonders

8. A picnic

8. A Picnic

“Rose.” John wined; chin resting on the kitchen table and arms resting by his sides with his hands touching the kitchen floor.

“What?” Rose mimicked his voice as she continued typing on the laptop.

“I’m bored.” He wined again.

“Well, find a way to entertain yourself.” Rose mumbled under her breath as she moved a piece of text across the page. She was writing an article for job interviews for a medic. Karen had been moaning that everyone else had a partner to help them with their work except her. And so Rose, as second in command, had promised her that she would get a partner.

“But, there is nothing to do!” He paused. “Tony’s at school, Pete’s at work and Jackie’s still in bed.” As he said that he looked to his watch to see it half 10. Jackie was a lazy sod when it came to Tuesdays. That morning, John had dropped Tony off at school before coming home to find the house oddly quite. And he didn’t like it. Normally, he and Rose would be on the sofa, snuggled up; maybe kissing – but also watching soaps and documentaries. But no – Rose was working on their day off.

“I’ll be done in 10 minutes. Just… go and watch some TV or something.” Rose sighed. John sighed again, not really liking the idea of TV. His brain then had a brilliant idea. He lifted his head, with a smile on his face. He brought his hands up to the table once again. He then beamed at Rose who saw him smiling out of the corner of her eye. “What?” She asked not taking her eyes off of the computer screen where she was writing the job description.

“Rose! Let’s have a picnic!” He rushed. Rose paused in her typing and looked up at him with a look of surprise. She was not expecting him to come out with that. She then turned her head to the kitchen window where rain was dashed across it, making it impossible to see outside properly. The wind was knocking on the window, wanting a way into the house. The heating was on full as it was so cold. And Rose couldn’t believe her husband’s suggestion. She then turned back to look at John who was still smiling.

“In this weather?” She asked as she went back to her typing. “No.” She told him firmly.

“But…” John began.

“John, I said no.” She used a Tone that reminded him of Jackie scolding Tony. He frowned.

“I was going to say we could have it indoors.” He grumbled as he went back to the position he was in before. Rose rolled her eyes at her husband’s response and carried on with her typing. As she finished she pressed print before also sending the job description to several local newspapers. She closed the laptop down and pushed it to one side.

“Okay John. I’m finished. What do you want to do now?” She asked with a quirk of her eyebrow. John raised his eyes and looked at Rose.

“I want to have a picnic!” He moaned. He was very rarely like this anymore… very rarely moaning about nothing to do and time passing slowly and wanting wired things at wired times. But Rose guessed it was just one of his off days.

“John, we can’t. The weather is horrible.” Rose pointed to the window where the wind and rain continued to hammer against it.

“Not outside.” John mumbled as he sat up properly again. “Inside. On the floor in the living room… Come on Rose. It’ll be fun!” He gave her the most adorable puppy dog eyes Rose had ever seen. Those eyes made her do whatever he wished. And she hated him for it.

“Alright.” She sighed.

“Yes!” John jumped up and punched the air. “I’ll make the sandwiches!” He cried as Rose also stood.