Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Hot and Cold (04/09/09)
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TITLE: When the Sun Went Down | Previous Challenge Entry
By Diana Smith
04/15/09 -
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This blanket is too heavy. How’s a person supposed to sleep when she feels like mozzarella in a pan of lasagna - baked, gooey and stuck to everything around it? Yuck.
There, that’s better - a cool breeze across my shoulders. Ouch. What is that mound in the mattress? I’m no princess and that had better not be a pea. Maybe if I flip over on my back…
Okay, nothing else hurts and sweat isn’t popping up like seedlings in spring. Just lay still, breathe slowly and deeply. Inhale - one, two, three. Exhale - three, two, one.
What time is it now? Only three more hours until that blasted alarm shrieks good morning. I wonder if he’ll be able to hear it from the couch. Serves him right if he doesn’t – it would look good on him to be late for work. Maybe wipe that self-righteous smile off of his face. I can’t believe he said that to me – and in front of them. Who does he think he is to treat his wife that way? How could he not know that I would be completely humiliated?
Did he turn the furnace on cremate or something? Would he do that? Not if he knew what was good for him. Of course I never thought that he could be so dense. Honestly, to say such a thing - the man must have a death wish.
Is this an electric blanket? My feet are suffocating – ugh. I’ve had it with this lousy thing.
Huh, I wonder if he took a pillow. Good - it’s not here. Now he won’t be complaining tomorrow about a kink in his neck. Hope the couch is not too uncomfortable.
That breeze is carrying a chill. How far did I toss the blanket? Can I reach it from here?
Why can’t I just go to sleep?
Bet he’s snoring with abandon – not a concern in his head. He can’t figure out why I’m so upset – I’m furious actually - but he thinks it’s no big deal. “They’re our friends,” he says. “Isn’t that what friends do?” Where does he get off saying that?
I suppose I’m always telling him so, begging for him to pry open his heart and let someone in. Men need friends too – it would help him to be more in touch with his emotions. But did he have to do it that way? Couldn’t they just growl at each other while watching the game or put their heads together under the hood of a Chevy? He could have found somewhere where I was not or just kept me out it completely. Surely he could have done that.
But when they nodded in understanding, his reaction was… incredible. I haven’t seen his eyes light up that way since the boys picked up their first baseball. He looked peaceful – even joyous. I think that made me even madder. Couldn’t he feel the heat coming off of my cheeks? Couldn’t he hear me scream for everyone to quit talking and eat their dessert?
Then they confess to struggling with the exact same thing. Unbelievable, who would have ever thought? And she didn’t even blink at the mention of it. Maybe I…? No. I absolutely did not overreact. He leaped miles over a line that I had very clearly drawn. Well, it was clear in my mind anyhow. How could he not have figured that out by now?
This bed is so huge and empty. And cold without him. Is that him snoring or just the wind? It’s so faint. Maybe that’s why I can’t sleep – it’s too quiet. And now I’m chilly.
I suppose I may have been a bit too aloof tonight. It could have been a tad dramatic to demand that he sleep elsewhere. Did I even listen to his explanation? Wait, did he apologize? Oh yes, I remember that he said sorry or something after they left. Humph. As if that makes the enormous elephant and all the mess disappear.
It’s so still in here that I can hear my goose bumps rising.
Maybe they won’t blab it to everyone. Maybe it’s good for him to share that stuff with a few people. But still… He could have… He should have…
That’s it, I can’t stand it. This is ridiculous and sleep is never coming at this rate. What I need is warm milk and an icebreaker.
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I really wonder what he said to make her so upset. Hmmm... Maybe you explained that and it totally went over my head, or maybe you intentionally left it out for effect. Either way, good writing.
Oh, yeah right, we don't ALL think alike.....
Okay, so I can totally relate, with the hot & cold and the discussions and the trying to sleep alone and not being able to figure out why I can't sleep and ....