I Almost Hurt Arthur—Until That Afternoon's Security Footage Told Me Otherwise.-16
Morning Ritual
Early sun slanted into the kitchen. Marianne stood at the counter, arranging breakfast plates. Movements were calmer now. Approaching, I poured coffee. "Morning." She turned, a gentle smile appearing. "Morning." Clutching my cup, I drew nearer. "Last night..." my voice rasped, "...another wave." Marianne stopped arranging.
She faced me fully—no shock, only understanding and quiet concern. "Toby's on nights. I heard... your door opening and closing." No probing. "Are you alright?" I nodded, sipping the hot coffee, its warmth tangible. "Yes. Managed it." A soft "Mm-hmm" acknowledged this. She resumed her task, attentively wiping a water spot from a plate rim with a soft cloth.
Reflections
I held Arthur before the bathroom mirror. He adored his reflection. Lifting him higher, he stared wide-eyed. His finger tapped the cool surface. Two figures stared back: him, and me. Studying my reflection, I saw my brows could lift. My eyes could open wide. I saw myself.
Arthur giggled. He grinned at the mirror. Turning, he pressed his cheek against mine. I felt its warmth, its softness. Lowering my head, my lips brushed his hair. The mirror reflected the motion. I held him. The reflection held us too. Nothing else mattered. Just Arthur in my arms, gazing at the mirror. Me, gazing at him. The mirror, holding us both.
Early sun slanted into the kitchen. Marianne stood at the counter, arranging breakfast plates. Movements were calmer now. Approaching, I poured coffee. "Morning." She turned, a gentle smile appearing. "Morning." Clutching my cup, I drew nearer. "Last night..." my voice rasped, "...another wave." Marianne stopped arranging.
She faced me fully—no shock, only understanding and quiet concern. "Toby's on nights. I heard... your door opening and closing." No probing. "Are you alright?" I nodded, sipping the hot coffee, its warmth tangible. "Yes. Managed it." A soft "Mm-hmm" acknowledged this. She resumed her task, attentively wiping a water spot from a plate rim with a soft cloth.
Reflections
I held Arthur before the bathroom mirror. He adored his reflection. Lifting him higher, he stared wide-eyed. His finger tapped the cool surface. Two figures stared back: him, and me. Studying my reflection, I saw my brows could lift. My eyes could open wide. I saw myself.
Arthur giggled. He grinned at the mirror. Turning, he pressed his cheek against mine. I felt its warmth, its softness. Lowering my head, my lips brushed his hair. The mirror reflected the motion. I held him. The reflection held us too. Nothing else mattered. Just Arthur in my arms, gazing at the mirror. Me, gazing at him. The mirror, holding us both.