January 12. Devolution: What is happening where I live?
“Ok, so how long are we going to do this?”
Gerald shook his head slowly and opened his arms, palms upwards, facing Patty as she hung up her coat.
“As long as it takes.”
She hadn’t been surprised to find him waiting for her again, sat in her husband’s old chair by the window and although she pushed the thought down, relieved he was.
Outside amid the bird songs and wind whistles the usual screaming and sirens drifted in and out.
“Shall I make us a drink?”
She went into the kitchen without waiting for an answer and made two weak teas without milk using the mugs they given the builders in the old days. Coming back into the living room Gerald was keen to resume the discussion of the last few days.
“I know you don’t want to leave Patty, I know that,” He sipped his tea and smiled at her, “thanks.”
She let him continue, as he was going to anyway. Since the climbdown things had gone from bad to worse, and there wasn’t that many of them left, at least like them.
“If we can to the highway...”
She breathed out slowly loudly enough to interrupt his plea.
“I can’t. Not now.”
He came closer and she could see his jawline was still changing. How many others were having similar conversations across town, most of the neighbours were gone now, where and what they were she didn’t care to think about.
“Does it hurt?” she asked, hoping he’d reassure her.
His eyes were still steely blue, and he could make them dazzle when he wanted, but that was the only comfort he could give.
She looked out back, towards the fields, the sun was warming the soil even now, the image of a picnic backet came to mind and she let it linger, things still change she thought, so maybe tomorrow she could feel different.
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