Overtime
by L.C. Li
Anna Jarvis is not dim witted in any sense of the word.
She sees the shadow beneath her husband's eyes as he tilts his hat, smiles gravely, and says, Good day, dearest, the third residence needs tending to. She hears the heaviness in his step as he slips through the door late in the night, speaking of the urgent matter of the fifth residence. She smells the sulfur drifting ever so slightly from his impeccable clothes and feels faint traces of silt against her fingers.
She worries for him, but she does not dare to ask. The one thing she knows for certain is that Edwin would keep nothing from her—so long as it was permitted.
So all she can do is ponder. Ponder if Edwin's escapades, which stretch later and later into the hours of the night, are related to the unfortunate circumstances befalling Master Stark. Ponder what dangers Edwin might be facing every night. Ponder if there will come a day when he does not return to her. Ponder, and pray.
She feels idle, foolish, stilted, helpless. Just as she did during the war.
So she starts small. Edwin, let me do the dishes. Edwin, go have a rest. Oh, I shall do the laundry. Would you like some tea? He is too weary to notice, and more preoccupied as days go by. So she gradually begins to do more, and more, and more—until one day, he suddenly grips her.
"Anna, darling," he says. "I implore you not to push yourself so."
"And I implore the same," she returns.
His eyes widen. She falls against him.
"I understand," she whispers. "You needn't say a word. But... be safe, Edwin."
He strokes her hair and kisses the top of her head.
"I'm sorry, Anna," he says tremulously. "I'm sorry. Wer Eier unter den Füßen hat, muss leise auftreten." The German is rough from his tongue, unlearned, but recognizable. He with eggs beneath his feet must tread lightly. "I wish I could tell you, dearest, more than anything—"
"Was du allein wissen willst, das sage niemand," she whispers back, the words spilling easily from her lips. A secret you wish to keep, you must never say.
He kisses her, this time on the mouth. When he pulls away, his eyes are sad, but his hands are warm.
"Thank you," he says.
She smiles although she trembles inside. "Come home in time for bed."
"I will try." She sees he means it.
He kisses her again and slips out the door. Anna Jarvis washes the dishes and retires to bed, waiting anxiously for the late hours of the night to pass.