~ Beginnings ~

by

Clarke Leeder

One

“Nori!”

The sharp edge of Brian’s voice exploded in the silence, harsh and irritated. Nori jumped and gulped a deep lungful of air, startled for a moment.

“Nori!” He called out again before she could answer.

“Here!” she shouted back.

“C’mere and give me a hand!” he snapped from the front of the house. Nori dropped the shirt that she was folding and hurried out into the hallway.

“Sure...”

He’d allowed her to stay in bed this morning as he struggled through two fried eggs left a little too long in the frying pan and a couple of pieces of burnt toast. She could hear him in the kitchen, the sound of cursing and the crash of pans on the floor. How considerate, she thought anxiously, but, if he’d just let me do it... At one point, she jumped to get up, believing that maybe he’d hurt himself, but the silence returned and she settled back against the pillows apprehensively. Get some rest, he growled as his feet hit the floor with a loud thump, I’ll get the breakfast. Not a chance. By the time he’d left the bedroom, Nori was wide-awake.

First there was the search for that old tattered ‘T’ that Nori had hidden at the back of the drawer. Maybe he’ll grab that brand new tank top I got him for his birthday--bet he’d look good in that. That’s when the cursing began.

“Where the hell is that shirt? You know, the one from Vegas--Never mind.” With tee shirt in hand, he grabbed a pair of jeans hanging over the back of an old wooden chair at the end of the bed and the socks discarded as he fell into bed the previous night. Well, better to spill food on the rag than get his new stuff stained, she shrugged to herself, maybe he’ll change later...

A large man--six-four and well over two hundred pounds, he moved as if there was never quite enough room for his mammoth frame, muttering as he banged a shin here, an elbow there. She remembered that time in that antique shop while they were away on holidays, desperately searching for those little figurines that his mother collected. She remembered the look on the clerk’s face as one ornament after another shuddered at his passing--then the final look of relief as they left. Of course, there was nothing in this house that couldn’t be replaced with a few bucks at the local flea market, still she didn’t like to see him hurt...

It was almost an hour before he found his way back to the bedroom, the large metal tray vibrating the juice from overfull glasses out onto the surface and a single plate littered with bacon and eggs hanging precariously at the edge. Way too much for me, thought Nori, more like his--then noted the absence of a second plate.

“Aren’t you having anything?” she ventured cautiously.

“Already had something,” he muttered. Nori forced a wide smile, moving up higher in the bed to better balance the tray across her knees.

“Happy Birthday,” he grumbled anxiously beneath a deeply furrowed brow. He seemed so intense--always seemed that way. The thick dark eyebrows almost joined at the middle and the stiff black military spike (the days growth of whiskers only added to the image), but this morning he was obviously stressed to the breaking point.

“Thanks,” said Nori, holding her breath as she carefully steadied the wobbly tray, then forcing the widest smile, “Looks good!” He watched as she forced back several forkfuls of food, emptied one of the glasses of juice himself in long loud gulps and accepted her thanks one more time before he finally excused himself with a cursory, “Have to go out.”

She knew where he was going. He never had been much good at finding the right gift and always left it until the absolute last minute. Then it was a frantic race here and there, ‘anything in particular you’d like this year?’ as he glanced at his watch. He hadn’t asked this year. Maybe, after almost ten years of marriage--

“Get you anything else?” he grumbled already halfway out the door. Nori shook her head, another smile around a cheekful of toast and beamed “No thanks, dear,”--then, listening for the sound of the front door slamming, emptied the thick black wad from her mouth into a nearby napkin. Toasted bagel and cream cheese, she thought, that’s what I really feel like and headed for the kitchen.

She’d enjoyed the morning while he was gone, enjoyed the relaxed easy pace. It was so unlike her usual Saturday.

“I’ll pick up the beer. The boys will probably be here around one. By the way, after you get done there, I noticed the mirror in the bathroom was a bit smudged. I guess that was my fault...”

But there was no hurry today. She even turned on the tunes as she hummed her way through two loads of laundry. The dryer was thumping an ominous rhythm. That’s going to go any day now, she thought, that or the washing machine leaking like a sieve. How could two people make so much work? It was a good thing that there weren’t any children yet. Sometimes when the demands of unpaid bills took everything but their last penny, they could barely afford to feed themselves. Of course, Mama was always there--‘Why can’t that girl get out and get a job?’--But, maybe, if this new position that she’d applied for came through...

“Summer’s here!” announced the overzealous radio morning man. It wasn’t really, but the early spring heat wave allowed Nori to open the windows wide and she welcomed the rush of fresh air. Wonder what he’s come up with? she thought excitedly. Love a surprise, but then the foreboding as she pictured a new broom or an ironing board cover. No, it’s got to be something good... must’ve asked Mama.... The dryer began to howl loudly accompanied by the smell of burning rubber... Better turn it off before it overheats. I’ll finish up later. Nori grabbed a cup of tea and settled on the edge of the stool usually reserved for the pile of clean clothes. The sun was beaming in, warm on her face. She loved the sun.

Of course, he’d make the customary presentation and she’d make her expected fuss, bubble her thanks with a big hug and a dutiful kiss--maybe more if he played his cards right, she smirked. Maybe he’d take her out later, likely to the ‘Oriental Express’, their favorite all-you-can-eat buffet. They didn’t go out much but he liked the buffet, returning time and time again with a bit of this and a heap of that. ‘You oughta try this,’ he’d say, and she would--.

The sound of the front door.

Now he was back.