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Sunday, May 29, 2016

The Clock, a Dialogue

--This is the end. The very end.

 

--The bitter end, do you mean?

 

--If that's the way you want it. I've been avoiding this conversation all day.

 

--I've noticed you haven't really been yourself.

 

--You noticed, did you? You felt my usual loving presence was missing?

 

--Are you going to tell me?

 

--When I came downstairs this morning I saw the clock.

 

--What clock?

 

--You know damned well what clock. Don't play the innocent with me because I'm on to you. I've seen you in this mode for years and I'm sick of it. I'm putting my cards on the table.

 

--So deal.

 

--See? That's what I mean. You'd better take this seriously because I'm really upset!

 

--About the clock.

 

--Yes! About the clock.

 

--You were there when I bought it. You even encouraged me to get it.

 

--Only because I thought you'd put it in the basement along with all your other back-up items. I thought you'd keep it in reserve for the next time a clock gives up the ghost.

 

--I didn't say that was what I'd do with it.

 

--No, you didn't. But that's what I thought you'd do.

 

--So what's wrong with the clock where it is? Where I put it?

 

--It shouldn't be there! You shouldn't have put it up in one of the public rooms where we don't even need a clock! Who wants to look at a clock while they're eating dinner? Time doesn't matter when you're eating! It doesn't belong there.

 

--But there's no other clock in the dining room.

 

--Of course there isn't! We don't need one there.

 

--You know what I think the problem is?

 

--You mean besides the friggin' clock in the friggin' dining room?

 

--Yeah, besides that.

 

--What?

 

--I think the problem is that I didn't tell you I was going to do it. You don't like it when I make a unilateral decision.

 

--That's not exactly true. You make them all the time. ALL the TIME! But I don't like it when you put a cheap plastic clock in full sight in the dining room. I don't like that at all. You could have asked me.

 

--What would you have said? You'd have said no.

 

--Well, we could have discussed it. You could have told me why you wanted a clock in this room. Maybe we could have found a better place for it—a less noticeable place.

 

--Well, that's a laugh! It can't be TOO noticeable because I put it up on Saturday right after we bought it, and it's been up for five days and you're just now noticing it.

 

--Just because I'm unobservant doesn't mean our guests are. It's an ugly clock and I don't want it there. And I hate the thought of how you might have hung it. What size nail did you hammer into that woodwork? Oh! I just looked again and it is SO out of place there!

 

--I still think you're just mad because I did it on my own.

 

--Think what you want. It's an ugly plastic clock and it's coming down. Just as soon as I have the energy to get the hammer so I can pry out the nail.

 

--Well, where can I put my clock, then?

 

--I know how I'd like to answer that question, but I'll refrain. After half an hour of deep breathing I might be able to discuss it more calmly. I'm sure we'll be able to find exactly the right spot for it—as long as it isn't the dining room.

 
 
 
Copyright © 2016 Ann Tudor
Blog1: http://www.fastandfearlesscooking.com
 

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