Lights Out

A short story

            “The power’s out.”

            “Ya think I don’t know that, Megs? S**t! Damn coffee table! Stubbed my freakin’ toe on that thing. I hate it sitting in the middle of the room. Can’t we just trash it? Sit it on the curb? Somebody will take it. I’m sure of it.”

            “No, Kettle, we can’t get rid of it. I like it. Reminds me of home.”

            “Home. It’s always about home. Can’t ever do a f****n’ thing because it reminds you of home. Goddamn lights! I hate when the power goes out. How can I get anything done?”

            “Now, Kettle…you know there’s nothing we can do about it. Mother Nature’s pissed, snowing in October! Somebody sure done stuck somethin’ up her craw. Sit’urself down before you hurt something else.”

            “What about the food? Stuff’s gonna rot in that fridge if we don’t do something about it. How long will it last? A day? I’m not eatin’ no friggin’ rotten mayo on my sandwich!”

            “Maybe we can buy one of those generatin’ thingies? Plug the fridge into that? It’ll stop the food from spoilin.’ What say you, Kettle?”

            “Woman! I ain’t got no hundreds of dollars to spend on one of them contraptions! What do you think I am? The Swiss bank? Goddamn moron.”

            “There’s no need for name callin’, Kettle…I’m just offerin’ a suggestion.”

            “Well, use your noodle and think, Megs, before you start spoutin’ that lip of yours. Buy a friggin’ generator…what the hell….So what’s we gonna do, huh? Whattam I s’posed to do without no TV?”

            “Quite yer bellyachin’. You could use your Maglite and actually read something for a change. Or go outside and start shovelin’ some of that snow out there before it piles up.”

            “I ain’t readin’ by no damn flashlight, Megs. It’ll give me a headache. YOU give me a headache, woman! I ain’t gonna put up with this much longer! You hear me? That power company’s gonna hear from me! March right on down there and give ‘em a piece of mind. Teach them a thing or two.”

            “You go on and do that, Kettle. Have fun marchin’. Let me know when you’ll be home for dinner.”

            “Stupid woman…stop bein’ sarcastic. You know I’m not goin’ anywhere in this mess. I’ll damn near break my neck walkin’ in that slush. What ARE we going to do for dinner, Megs? We ain’t got no stove.”

            “Well, I suppose you could treat me for a change at the diner down the road. Might be nice to go out and socialize a bit. Wonder what their special is tonight.”

            “Treat you? Hrmph. I always treat you, woman! Whaddya think that candy bar was from Wallie World? Part of the groceries? Always askin’ for sumthin’…sheesh. Megs, we can’t afford no diner. You know that. Why the hell would you ask me such a stupid question? Make me a sandwich, woman. Make yourself one, too, while you’re at it. That’s enough for ya.”

            “Come on, Kettle! We never go anywhere! All I want is to go to the diner. It’s cheap! I’ll even get just eggs and toast. Five bucks max for me. I’m not makin’ you a sandwich. Don’t wanna open the fridge to let the cold out besides.”

            “Aw, Megs….don’t pull that crap on me. I take you out all the time. You just don’t appreciate it none. I never do enough for you. Boo, hoo, hoo. Whine, whine, whine. That’s all you ever do, woman. Never give me no compliment, that’s for sure. Damn, woman. Always bitchin’. That’s all you women ever do. B***h and complain. Oohh, Kettle don’t take me nowhere. Kettle don’t do this. Kettle don’t do that. Bah! Kettle’s gonna sit right here on this recliner and enjoy me some quiet time. You hear that, woman?”

            “Quiet time? That’ll be the day. I’m tryin’ to read a book by candlelight and all you’ve been doin’ since the lights went out is yap your mouth. Maybe you should take a nap. Then you’ll be quiet.”

            “Shut yer trap, Megs. I’ll do whatever I damn well please and I don’t feel like takin’ no nap. So there! I’m hungry. It’s dinnertime. Whaddare we gonna eat, Megs? I’m gonna starve away to nuthin’!”

            “Oh, you’re not gonna starve, Kettle. There’s fat chance of that.”

            “You callin’ me fat, woman?! Look who’s talkin’. Fat. Sheesh, Megs! That’s awfully harsh of ya. You know I work hard to maintain this here body! I’ll even model it for ya. Look at me! I’m so sexy! Hey! I have an idea of what we can do with no lights….”

            “Get out of here, Kettle! I’m tryin’ to read! You’re disturbin’ my peace with your silly talk. Go find somethin’ to do. Or take me to dinner. But do somethin’ instead of pesterin’ me.”

            “Geez….cold as ice you are, Megs. Just tryin’ to have a little fun and all. What’s the point of havin’ no lights if we can’t make somethin’ fun out of it? Alright. Seems I have no choice but to take you to dinner. Damn woman. Always gettin’ your way. Ain’t never good enough for ya until you get what you want. I see how it is. Ole’ Kettle’s not doin’ it for ya anymore.”

            “Kettle…now you’re just bein’ plain stupid. I’m still married to ya, aren’t I? Been here for 30 years. That’s sayin’ a lot. All I’m askin’ for is to go to dinner. Is that so much to ask? To be treated once in a while instead of makin’ me slave over that hot stove all the time?”

            “Stop your whinin’, woman. I can’t stand it! Makes my ears itch. Fine. Grab your coat and we’ll go get your damn eggs.”

            “I need the flashlight, Kettle. You’re hoggin’ it over there. Can’t find my coat in the dark.”

            “Ow! Damn it, Megs! Get outta my way! I’ll go get your friggin’ coat! Stupid woman! Can’t do nuthin’ for herself. Always gotta make me do it. Here’s your damn coat. Now put it on and get movin’. My belly’s growlin’ somethin’ fierce!”

            “Thanks, honey. You’re so sweet. You know I love you.”

            “Yea, yea, yea. I know you do, Megs. I love you, too. But that damn power better come back on soon!”

Author's Note

feel free

Reviews

[Teri B]

Dear me! Such a to-do! All because of a power outage! But it's in the conversations like these that you find out the truth of things, isn't it? I certainly don't see any "love" here...lots of tolerance, some manipulation, lots of settling and giving in. Sounds like a lot of marriages that "last", so it's right on! Well done!

I love stories told only through dialogue! One has the chance to really "see" the characters, to watch them bare themselves to each other and to the reader! It's a great technique!

[Samuel Dickens]

It sounds typical of some folks. When a springtime storm knocked our power out for about 16 hours, it was my video-gamer son who took it hardest.

[alwaysthere]

I love it and it proves love can find it way even in the dark

[Zachary_James]

Amazing love every line.

[Kid Kirby]

You really know how to paint a picture and you handle dialouge momentum very well. I got sucked in and was laughing at the end because it reminds me so much of my former in-laws - always bickering about the smallest things (why is the sky blue? who invented grass? and on and on!) I think they may have loved each other, or at least loved making each other miserable. It was a great read!

[Raven Starhawk]

You write with such grace. It is like reading through miracles.

[Inyourshadow]

Sounds just like a married couple arguing over the trivial and weathering the storm together. You really nailed these two Kat only suggestion is her popping back in to flick the power switch back on lol. This is a wonderful piece, keep em' coming

[I am Nelly]

Just plain brilliant, the voices are completely real. You can imagine the characters whole lives and story in this one piece. Super brilliant in fact.

[Cheng Yew,Chew]

it's amusing

[EMF]

Hot damn lady. I loved this. And I'll swear I know these people. A wonderful piece, written so well. I could hear it, loud and clear as I was reading it. Wonderful. No. Better than that. Brilliant. Well worth reading and rereading etc.