Bomb Scare Part 2

She didn't know.
She didn't know where she was or where she was going
only that her bags were heavy, the duffle
full of shoes and an extra shirt
the backpack where she kept her socks
like a makeshift set of drawers
she had to carry everywhere she walked
waiting to dress and undress and dress
again.  The last normal thing.

But they were so heavy.

The steps were shaded, white marble turned pale, violet
gray contrasting the green of the garden
across the sea of cars, buses, and semi trucks.
Sets of orange cones dotting the roadside
like upside-down creamsicles sundaes
that reminded her of being five and free
of everything but the single summer dress falling
from her shoulders, her long hair catching the sun
and her own laughter.

She forgot the bags.

Her head in the clouds, like a butterfly following
the arm of a crane, the metallic warmth
a magnet to the eyes, the antannae unaware
of the dry atmosphere, the sirens,
or the panic of feet hitting pavement,
as judgment waits for another day
to cry out "Guilty" or "False Alarm."
A concussion of water and backed up traffic
playing to the beat of a concert in the park
a flashback of her teenaged dream.

Bomb Scare at the Courthouse

Someone left a backpack alone just inside the door.  They probably wanted to see what would happen.  Did they know they would congest the traffic for three blocks in four directions for several hours?  Did they know I would flee to the north, uphill toward the capital, passing the bed and breakfast I dream of lounging in, the Capital Bldg. where I first tasted of the power of a single voice, the square house whose glass block windows make me think of what I would build if the money were in the bank, and the smiley face tennis ball as large as my car?  Did they know I would smile on the way home from the memories and the cleverness of turning north having the insider scoop from the office fireball in red reading glasses?

CRANK with a capital E

Today I drove home in the blistering August sunshine, driver's side slathered in sunscreen, for over an hour due to traffic.  I missed the closing of the bank to deposit my very first and desperately needed paycheck.  I have blisters on the backs of my heels from the flats I chose to wear today -- thanks Isaac.  And, can anyone say out-of-place-coccyx?!  Ouch.

Although the dishes were done (thanks honey) and the front room mostly clean...dinner was not even started, there were three loads of clean laundry strewn about (hooray for the "baby" learning to dress himself), the garbage can was bagless, and my bra was sticking to me with a new adhesive form of sweat-glue.

They say if you can't stand the heat, get out the kitchen.  But, being IN the kitchen was the only way I was going to eat tonight (and Steak Salad doesn't produce heat).  Dinner tasted good, but the 5 year old had a case of the shreiking giggles almost as serious as Vizzini warned you about and it took me an hour to get through folding laundry, leaving an hornery message on my mom's answering machine (that's another post), and chopping various veggies to get dinner on the table. 

Where was the fam?

Well, they chose that hour to vamoose.  Normally, it's a good idea to get out from underneath my bad moods.  But, in this case, I have to say it was the wrong answer.  I'm just not normally someone who keeps track of everything that everyone in the house does... and I don't even think I'm doing that now... I just want to know ...HOLY COW...  why people can't put their damn hands in.  Why? 

Now, I'm still cranky.  My son's bedroom smells like urine (though the toys are finally off the carpet), my daughter left her blanket (think Linus from Charlie Brown) outside, my other daughter is out of lotion for her eczema stricken feet, and my husband is awaiting sexual favors (not that he's said so in so many words, but I know his libido before today.)

My jaw is actually clenched...IF you know anything about me, you know this is almost impossible because my teeth don't come together. 

Wanna know the worst part?

I'm too bent out of shape to share my great adventure from today...not that anyone at home cared to ask.