The Fly

Said a Spider to a Fly

    Talia's adrenaline had been pumping at the apartment. The near incident had rattled her. She glanced around Miriam's studio and tried to calm down. She focused on the warm colors, the mini Buddha statues, and colorful mandalas displayed around. It was pleasant. Talia needed to breathe and soak up this warmth. She breathed in through her nose, out through her mouth. She blocked all unpleasant thoughts, only focused on Miriam. Her pulse slowly decreased. When Talia thought her heart was done trying to escape, she opened her eyes.
    Miriam was going through the sun salutations. She followed suit and stretched her body, letting it relax.
    "Ten more minutes of class. Let's end with some meditation. Everyone sit on your mats. Be sure to ground yourself." Everyone in the room shifted, listening to Miriam's instructions. Once everyone sat cross-legged, Miriam went to her own mat. She placed her hands together near heart center and whispered, "Close your eyes. Sink into the mat. Breathe in, now out. Clear the mind."
    Talia's mind drifted away—away from the studio and reality. Miriam and her were on the couch inside her apartment. They finished the curry and eggplant dinner. It was tasty. Not Talia's best, but they both enjoyed the meal. Miriam had her poetry book in her hands. Talia listened to Miriam's soothing voice, listening intently.
    Miriam stopped, "Mind if I go clean up?"
    "Not at all," she replied. "The bathroom is that way."
    A moment later, Talia heard a sound in the kitchen. She got up. Miriam caught red-handed.
    "Damn, you have ears like a hawk." Miriam laughed. "I wanted to clean up the mess from dinner."
    "I'll help." Talia opened a nearby cabinet and pulled out a piece of Tupperware. "Use this."
    Once the kitchen was sparkling, Talia went outside to throw away the trash. When she returned Miriam was on the sofa, her poetry book in hand. Her face was a little paler than usual. Had Talia's food made her feel sick?
    "Feeling okay?"
    "Yeah, ready for you to come sit." Miriam smiled, but the action didn't reach her eyes.
    "Give me a second." Talia went into the kitchen. Her eyes went straight to the cabinet under the sink. A small portion of the salmon apron stuck out. It mocked her. Talia went to it, opened it, and pulled a single trash bag out before shutting it. She put it inside the garbage can, returning to the living room.
    When Talia sat down next to Miriam, the color in her face had returned. Talia rested her hand on Miriam's shoulder.
    "Will you read me a poem?"
    "Of course." There was no hesitation in Miriam's voice. "How about you pick one for me to read?" She handed Talia the book.
    She knew the poem she wanted to hear. Talia pretended to look earnestly before returning the book back to Miriam.
    "This one."
    Miriam looked at the poem Talia chose. "This one?" Her voice wavered for the briefest of seconds. Talia knew now, without a doubt, what Miriam had seen in the kitchen.
    "Yes, one of my favorites. My mother would read it to me." Talia pulled away, so she could watch Miriam as she read it. The poem was Mary Howitt's The Spider and the Fly. When Talia broke in a while back, this was the poem that Miriam had marked on her nightstand.
    Miriam began to read. "Will you walk into my parlour?" said a spider to a fly; " 'Tis the prettiest little parlour that you ever did spy,"
    As Miriam read the piece, her voice wavered a little more with each word. Talia leaned back, waiting for her to finish. As she did, she examined Miriam and scrutinized every aspect of her. The chestnut hair on her head was no longer beautiful. Flat and dull—lacking life. Her tan skin seemed more artificial than natural. Fake.
    At the last word, Talia jumped onto Miriam, hands gripped fast and tight around her neck. Miriam's eyes bulged. She tried to call out, but there wasn't any air left in her lungs. Talia strengthened her grip. She watched the light leave Miriam's eyes. When there wasn't any more movement, Talia let go. Miriam's body dropped down onto her shag rug. It had to be done.
    Talia opened her eyes. She was no longer inside her apartment. She was still at Emani Roots, with Miriam. She was alive. They were in a room full of people. Talia knew in that instant what needed to be done. The apron must go.