Celebration

Jamie sat at the computer, as he did most days at 11 AM. His habits were ingrained. Mary found it annoying, but after ten years, why try to change things now. She sighed and went around his inert form as she vacuumed the office.

“Hey Mary!” Jamie hollered.

She turned, powered off the vacuum, a bit peeved to be interrupted. She too had ingrained habits, such as vacuuming this room at 11 AM every day. A bit of a habit she had to admit perhaps was a bit passive-aggressive on her part.

“Yeah?”

“Did you know that today is ‘Can Opener Day’?”

“You don’t say.” The vacuum roared to life. She vacuumed under Jamie’s feet, around the desk.

“Hey Mary!” Jamie hollered.

Again she turned, powered off the vacuum, again peeved to being interrupted.

“What is it this time?”

“Did you know that today is ‘National Knife Day’?”

“Huh, you don’t say.” Mary reached down, unplugged the computer.

Jamie hollered again. “Hey Mary!”

“I swear, what?” Mary threw the vacuum hose down. “What this time?”

“The computer just died. I can’t check anything.”

“No kidding. Well, you know what? It’s ‘Can Opener Day’. So, why don’t you go use a can opener and open a can and figure out lunch? And while you’re at it, since it’s ‘National Knife Day’, use one of the kitchen knives to slice some bread for that lunch you’re going to fix.”

Jamie sat before the computer terminal for a few moments as Mary finished vacuuming the office.

“Where’s the can opener?”

Mary took Jamie’s hand and led him to the kitchen.

“Here is the kitchen. This is where I’ve been fixing our meals for sometime now.” She opened a drawer. “Here is a can opener.” She led him to a box on the counter. “Here are knives. They are sharp. Be careful.” Then Mary led Jamie to a door. “In here you will find all sorts of cans and bottles. This is the pantry. From this little closet you can create a meal. The pots and pans are under the stove.”

“I am cleaning. I’ll come back at noon for our lunch.” Mary left Jamie at the pantry door.

After Mary cleaned the tub, she sat on the toilet to cry. It was just too much. So hard. Jamie just didn’t understand or remember. A noise from the kitchen roused her to attention.

“Jamie, what are you doing?”

“Oh hey. I am cooking lunch. See? Opening cans.” The counter held at least a dozen cans. One lay on the floor, leaking tomato soup all over.

“Did you get hurt? Are you okay?”

“I’m okay. I will now cut some bread.” Jamie reached for the sharp serrated knife.

Mary grabbed it instead. “You know what? I’m done cleaning. You did ‘Can Opener Day’. Let me do the bread. It’s ‘National Knife Day’ today.”


W/C 478