Sapphic Voices General Fiction

She'd Already Made Up Her Mind

She'd already made up her mind. Made it up quickly and neatly and let all the warmth steal away through the tight folds. Made it up before she'd started cleaning and now she was done.

Now the time was chill and still and waiting.

She'd picked up all the clothes, picked them up one by one and spread them across their hangers, smoothing them out. Even the dirty ones she'd folded smart and set them neat in her laundry basket, setting that besides the lined shoes in the closet.

When she could see the floor again, she swept away the dust and hair and stray leaves to let the dingy gray tile stand alone.

She dusted, catching the dust balls with the mop, and she washed all the dishes stuck together in the sink, dried them, and, touching each one as individual, put them away. She pushed all the cabinet doors closed.

Everything was put away.

There would be no wasted words, no long, drawn-out, second-chance words, no long trail of tears to carry them along and give her time. She would not make it precious that way. That same old way.

She swept her hand slowly across the bed, chasing down the wrinkles and pressing them into a smooth, white field.

She brought up the blanket, deep green and measuring the edges, laid it over the sheets. Doubled it at the head.

Then the pillow.

She put on "North Dakota." She hit "repeat," and laid down and closed her eyes.

If you have enjoyed Sonia's "She'd Already Made Up Her Mind", then please be certain to e-mail her at  s_barrera[at]hotmail.com  and thank her for posting this Story.

Click here for a list of all of Sonia C. Barrera's  Stories and Poetry at  Sapphic Voices Authoresses.