Sunday 25 June 2023

'Dreamless Reality' by Allison Renner

Aurora was so freaking tired it felt like her eyelids were made of sandpaper. But she couldn’t sit down for a second before one of the kids shouted or cried or yelled “Mommeeeeee!” even though Phillip is right there and could easily separate them or pick up the dropped toy or get them a freaking snack for once in his life. But no, he was kicked back, scrolling on his phone, and Aurora was the one who pulled her heavy body from the kitchen where she hadn’t even had a chance to start washing the breakfast dishes. She separates the kids and picks up the toys so she can see the living room’s gray carpet peeking through. She goes back to the kitchen to prepare them a snack but the dishes are still piled up in the sink, and she thinks, “I’ll just wash a few to tackle the mountain.” She squirts dish soap and runs the water, watching bubbles form. One breaks free and floats closer and closer. She reaches her finger to pop it and falls asleep standing up straight.

No comments:

Post a Comment