I lay there enveloped in the enticing aroma of lavender mingled with fig, and the lightest hint of ink drifting from a paperback novel. The bubbles caress my nude body, dying little by little as they are exposed to air and movement. I’ve escaped to a distant world in an unreachable era, taking on the persona of a princess being denied her heart’s desire. I know certain bliss…until a loud rap at the door calls me back to reality.
“MOM! I can’t find my English paper and it’s due tomorrow.”
I try to centre myself. “It’s on the counter beside your agenda. Why are you not in bed?” Silence is my reply. Back to the book. Another knock.
“Hon, your son just threw up on my last clean uniform for work. Tell me you’ve hidden the dry cleaning somewhere.”
Deep breathe. “It’s in the front closet… where I always leave it. Is he okay?”
“Yeah, I just bounced him too much after his bottle. Are you almost done in there? How dirty can you be?”
Very, very dirty. I may never come out of the washroom ever again. “I’m getting out now.”
One more scene, one more moment of peace before I go back and face the world. The last bubble pops, and the water now chilled, I pull the plug.
