EXISTENCE
The Light and Dark of Truth - Part III
The method of sleeping and waking had become a ritual over the past nine months. The "pop" of the hermetic seal and a wash of oxygen began the process each morning. Missy and Pow would gently leap onto the platform as the glass enclosure rolled back, kissing and sniffing Anna's face until her eyes opened. Most mornings, Anna would say good morning to her babies and roll out of bed.
The room was quiet, except for the gentle hum of the ceiling fan and the recently installed CADR-rated High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filtration system. The morning salutation of "Dick," the Plymouth Rock rooster, pierced the white noise, alerting the world that a new day was on the cusp between night and day. Anna could feel Missy and Pho pressed up against her, radiating heat across her body. No matter how hard she tried, she could not open her eyes to see or open her mouth to speak. The grey light that penetrated her eyelids indicated that the sun was behind the mountains. When Anna finally opened her eyes, she was confused and weeping. Icy cold pain washed over her. She could feel every pin and rod in her body. And then, she was flooded with the overwhelming pain of grief and betrayal. She had lost so much. She had been robbed. And, she was expected to forgive and forget. For her, the cost was too high. A flood of tears streamed down her face and into her ears as she sobbed uncontrollably. She was broken.
When the sun finally pierced the blinds, she sat up, alerting the other two occupants. Missy and Poh gazed at each other and then at Anna. It seemed that they understood that today was going to be a bad day. They waited for Anna to get dressed and silently followed her down the hall. When they reached the back door, they looked up at Anna as if to ask: Shouldn't we just stay indoors with you today? Anna turned the knob and opened the door and wished them a fun day, each nodding acceptance as they vanished into the depths of the orchard.
Returning to her room, Anna checked the anti-gravity controls of the Kapitza 2000 anti-gravity pod and the Kaptiza structure boosters, making note of the 800 number. She shouldn't be feeling so much pain. Even though everything looked normal, a phone call for a check-up would be necessary.
The house had been retrofitted with additional anti-gravity boosters designed by Kapitza Korp before she was released from the hospital. These boosters created a barrier from the outside world, allowing her to move about her home without assistance. She had refused in-home care and didn't want her husband or her children to wait on her as she recovered (f she ever recovered).
[BING]
You have an appointment with Dr. Lundquist at 10:00 a.m. Be sure to step into the scanner an hour before your appointment so that the doctor has time to review your films.
[BING]
Your daughter, Lorina, will be home from college this evening.
[BING]
Your son, Marcus, will be arriving at the airport at 2:00 p.m. Send transport instructions to Syn Valet.
"Thank you, Alexa. Please silence and postpone alerts for the next hour." Anna walked over to the oak dresser and opened the top drawer, choosing a navy blue top. After closing it, she opened the next drawer and pulled out black slacks.
"Alexa, please start the shower at optimal temperature and water flow to massage pattern Delta."
[BING]
Setting parameters. You may enter in thirty seconds.
While Anna was in the hospital, her husband had begun remodeling their home to accommodate her needs. As a general contractor, he had access to the most recent advancements in smart home technology. Including the new shower. Voice activation through Alexa was the most important component, as Anna had difficulty using her hands and moving about. And waiting was the worst part. U.5 by Moen was the best at the time and only required a few modifications to work with the Kapitza systems.
As she stepped into the shower she turned towards the mirror and examined her bruised and scarred body. She couldn't tell which scars were from the accident and which were from the countless surgeries. Lowering her head under a warm waterfall she looked down at her feet and toes. The fresh alabaster skin stood out against the crimson nail polish her daughter had applied last weekend. Anna smiled: "The prettiest part of my body." In her mind: And the only part that doesn't hurt. Her family would disagree. They would often remark on how fortunate she was that the flames had not touched her face. Nor had it been cut by glass shrapnel. However, Anna could see that the pain, worry, and anxiety had taken a toll, revealing more wrinkles and grey hair.
The warm water soothed the aggravated scars that stretched across her body and the pulsing motion slowed the steady throbbing of her broken bones. Fifteen minutes of calming and soothing relief - fifteen minutes that allowed her to raise her arms and hands up to her scalp. Fifteen minutes to wash away the oil and old skin.
Fifteen minutes to be alone.
Fifteen minutes to remember and relive.
Fifteen minutes to be angry.
Fifteen minutes to sob.
Fifteen minutes to just . . . wish for release.
The warm water slowly changed to a warm lavender current of air, drying her body and hair. As the last droplet of water evaporated, Anna stepped out of the shower and looked into the mirror once more. The usually enraged scars glowed a baby pink.
July 31 (nine months earlier)
"I'm coming home."
"Why? What happened?"
"It was awful. I don't want to talk about it."
"You drove up to see your dad. Were you able to see him?"
"I'm not wanted."
"You shouldn't let your sisters push you away. He is your dad too."
"I know. But I can't do it anymore. Can I talk to Lorina, real quick?"
"Mom?"
"Yes, baby. I'm here."
"I heard Dad. Are you coming home?"
"Yes, and I need you to do some things for me."
"Okay."
"Please log on to my computer and disable all social medial platforms. I don't want my siblings trying to get a hold of me. Or my mother. I have already put my phone on Do Not Disturb. Only you and Dad will be able to reach me."
"Mom, what happened?"
"So much. It was awful. I will explain everything when I get home. Oh, and one more thing - I want you to take my phone and keep it when I get home."
"Mom, are you sure you should be driving?"
"I will be fine and I will call every two hours and I will stop regularly to stretch."
"Please be careful."
"I will, and I will talk to you soon."
About the Creator
Rebecca A Hyde Gonzales
I started writing when I was about eight years old. I love to read and I also love to create. As a writer and an artist, I want to share the things that I have learned and experienced. Genres: Fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and history.
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Peanuts and Crackerjack
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