Sunday, April 22, 2007

Entry #10

Domestic Spirits
by Donna Gagnon


The teasing that goes on is almost unbearable. He knows I love to cook. Yet, he insists on distracting me during the process. I’m trying to multi-task, making sure the sprouts are cooked at exactly the same moment as the roast potatoes are ready to come out of the oven.

I tuck my hands into oven mitts, wipe my flushed face with the back of one of them, lean over to open the door and he’s blowing in my ear. It’s a wonder how I manage to get meals on the table for everyone, ya know.

Washing up takes hours. The grandkids park themselves in front of the television while we’re clearing the table and he joins me in the kitchen as I’m gauging the heat level of the water out of the tap.

“It’s hot in here, hon,” he says as he plonks another load of dirty dishes on the counter.

He presses himself up against me as I’m standing in front of the sink …

There’s soapy water on the floor now.

“Close the door!”

“Why?”

I turn off the taps. He’s already closed the door.

It’s on nights like this that I don’t care that we’re seniors. If those kids go home and tell their parents they heard noises in Gran and Grandpa’s kitchen, we’ll just blame the ghosts in this old house. If their parents don’t have ghosts like ours, too bad.

14 comments:

Joni said...

I LOVE this!

Nothing makes me happier than the thought of old people still being in love.

Playful and down to earth.

Sam said...

LOL - excellent - great idea!!

Bernita said...

Sorry, the idea of him blowing in her ear as she bends over the oven door does not work for me.
If he'd grabbed a cheek, now...
Still, it's a charming take.

Jaye Wells said...

Go Granny! Fun story.

Scott said...

Gramps still has the stuff! Nice surprise, as I of course assumed this was about young lovers.

Beth said...

Blowing in the ear ... the telltale sign of old school foreplay. Very cute!

briliantdonkey said...

"If they don't have ghosts like ours, too bad." LOVED that line. Nice job

BD

Pallav said...

oldies getting cozy!!

Ok i don't wanna think about this....forceful words there.

Sex always works ;) a hint of sex works even better....he ha ha

N

chong y l said...

"Play it again, Sam!" -- is this appropriate?

The Wandering Author said...

This was a nicely written, humourous story that was quite a relief amidst all the darkness. Not that I didn't enjoy some of the dark tales, but it was nice to read a bit different take.

Esther Avila said...

:) You know, who ever said they were old people? I'm not a grandparent yet, but my sisters all are - youngest sis is 46 and has a couple of grandkids, 9 and 7.

Cute.

Esther Avila said...

I love seeing old people holding hands, touching each others' faces, etc. Very beautiful.

Anonymous said...

Oh I love this story. Great last line.

I can see hubby and I playing those roles... sigh... loving can and does get better the longer a couple is together. It was great to see that shown in a story.

Anonymous said...

Great voice! Very natural pacing and believable feel. Also, good sense of detail and motion.

Very high scorer overall!