Neighbors

Neighbors

 

by Edmund Siejka

 

It was getting colder

Sun slowly

Easing  

From the afternoon sky.

 

Taking off his glasses 

He studied the front steps

How was he going to get a heavy dresser up there?

            His wife asked, “Are, you sure you can do this?”

Turning, her eyes focused on the nearby homes

She thought she saw a curtain move.

“No one is coming out to give us a hand” she said

 

“We don’t have those kinds of neighbors,

We’ve got to do this ourselves before it gets dark

Tommy’s going to have to help.”

 

“But Tommy’s only thirteen.”

“He’s got to help. Anyway, he’s big for his age.”

 

Exhausted, they moved the dresser into the bedroom

Tired she said “I did as much as I could.”

“We’ve had a long day” he replied

“So, lets get takeout.”

Flashing a grin she answered, “Sounds good to me

Chinese or pizza?”

“How about Chinese?”

“Let me ask Tommy If he’s OK with Chinese.”

 

Calling from the other room

“Tommy wants pizza.”

“Christ everything’s for him.”

“Well, he did help.”

“When I was his age, I did what my parents said.”

Lowering her voice, she answered “Well, he’s your son too so why don’t you talk to him?”

 

Looking around the bedroom

She couldn’t help but notice,

“By the way there’s scratch marks all over the floor.”

Red faced he answered

“Listen, no more aggravation today. We’ll do something about it later.  Pizza is fine with me.”

“OK, I’ll call and you pick up. Does that work?”

 

Leaning against the kitchen counter

Thoughts that were always near the surface

Bubbled upwards 

Making her wonder 

Why are husbands so fuggin’ stupid?