Eyelet Curtains
Darkness. For nearly two years, Chloe convinced herself that darkness was the last thing she needed. But for the last few months, darkness was a source of comfort to her because it was a reminder that sunny days wouldn't have been appreciated without the storms or the tint of night. But the darkness was becoming tiresome. It was time for a little sun, some warmth. She had that in the personage of a five-foot-three red headed mother, whose chirpy disposition cloaked her worry and concern. This illness, her illness, was slowly eating away the tawny aspect of Nancy and Chloe hated that. She can't do anything to protect Nancy. She's not sure that she wanted to, since Nancy's strength, once perceived as a millstone, would return to its hiding place.
Chloe shifted in her bed, attempting to make herself comfortable. So warm. To be honest, so hot. She kicked off her blankets and curled up. Chloe closed her eyes tightly, attempting to go to sleep. She chided herself because tightly closed eyes always worked against sleep. This exercise was pointless, since she wasn't tired. It was strange to her that she wasn't, since exhaustion has plagued her from the beginning of her illness. She took a deep breath and looked at her door. She could see the light underneath it. No doubt that Nancy has opened up the house, letting the sun inside. It's probably golden and beautiful out there, in a Salemy, upper middle class sort of way. She wondered about the rest of the house, whether Nancy dusted the furniture or watered the plants, since it seemed like Nancy was a 24-hour nurse to her. In the beginning, Chloe pitied herself because Nancy could be overbearing. But to tend to an ailing, temperamental daughter, she realized that Nancy needed the pity. And plus, Nancy hadn't been on the air for months. It must be killing her not to hold court with the denizens of Salem. But Nancy's visage doesn't indicate any longings, except for her daughter's well-being.
As she moved to the foot of the bed, she snuggled her pillow. She was fixated on the light underneath the door. She can tolerate that amount of sunlight, since her medication made it impossible for her to endure the sun on a larger scale. She was grateful to Nancy for covering the windows with newspapers. The neighbors must have seen the makeshift blinds by now and she wondered what they thought about them. They haven't seen her in months, except en route to the hospital, not that they would know that. Almost everyone who knew of her were told she was in a college-bound independent study program. The course load could be demanding, which accounted for her less frequent comings and goings. The newspapers on her windows must seem bizarre, but then again, it wasn't typical to have an opera singer living next door. Maybe the newspaper was an idiosyncrasy that talented people sometimes have, whether innate or adopted.
Chloe buried her face in the pillow, gently rocking herself. As she laid there, she heard the sound of crackling, specifically, the sound of paper crackling. Maybe she forgot to put away her sheet music. Maybe it was her homework she was wrinkling. She stopped rocking and listened, but the crackling persisted. She raised her face from the pillow and surveyed her darkened room. Everything seemed to be intact, but she noticed the eyelet curtain, dancing in the window. Eyelet curtains rustle, sometimes flap, but never crackle. She focused on the window and could see a corner of the newspaper flapping. She hoped the wind would stop invading her room and stop instigating the newspaper. But no, the draft got stronger, further loosening it. The edge of the curtain snagged itself on the ledge. As she stared at the window, the curtain began to glow. The draft taunted the newspaper as the curtain, illuminated in golden light, plumped. She was awed by it, yet another beautiful example of sunlight in a small dose.
But that crackling was another story. She rolled out of bed and walked to the window. She tried to remember where Nancy placed the roll of tape. Her nostrils flared as the crackling grew louder and faster. She grabbed the corner of the newspaper and slowly tore it. She closed her eyes as she ripped down the newspaper, feeling around the window to make sure every piece was gone. She carefully stepped down from the window seat and guided herself to her bed. She covered her head with a pillow, shielding herself from the fatal blast of sun. She slowly opened her eyes and turned toward the window. She carefully removed the pillow and waited for the hammer to hit her. But there was no hammer, only the curtain of sunbeams, tickling her face. She carefully got out of bed and approached the window. She kneeled on the window seat, attempting to unlock the window. With a twist of the lock and the determined pull of the pane, a gust of warm wind welcomed her back to the living world. She sat on the window seat, enjoying the caress and perfume of the air. She rested her head on the ledge and looked at her backyard. The trees and the grass were lush and vibrant. Nancy's rose bushes needed weeding, but everything was beautiful. She closed her eyes and breathed in everything.
Nancy stood at the sink, washing the same plate that she's been washing for the last ten minutes. She was thinking about the perfect meal to shake Chloe out of her mood. Chloe loved to eat, at least she used to, but Nancy seriously doubted that Garlic Parmesan Risotto would arouse Chloe from her emotional stupor. Opera hasn't done it either. What element would get Chloe going again? Maybe love? For over a year, love meant Phillip Kiriakis, much to Nancy's disdain. Nancy didn't want him around Chloe and the funny thing was, neither did Chloe. Nancy looked out of the window, admiring the vibrancy of the lawn, considering that Craig hasn't worked on it all season. But her rose bushes were a travesty. She will take care of them, but for now, her priority will remain Chloe. Maybe it can become a project she and Chloe can work on together. There she goes again, recruiting Chloe for a project that she would have no interest in. Nancy opened the window and a warm breeze greeted her. She heard the clicking of claws on her tile floor and saw Sugar furiously scratching at the door. She smiled as she opened the door for her. She ran around the yard as Nancy stepped outside. She sat on the step and thought about Chloe and what she could do to help her.
As Chloe rested on the ledge, she heard a commotion. She looked up to see a branch on the maple tree, bobbing up and down. She could see something thrashing against the leaves, the squawks and squeaks carrying in the May breeze. As the brawl moved to a bare patch of the branch, she realized that two squirrels were the source of the racket. The reason why they were fighting was beyond her. The fact that they were tussling in a tree over 20 feet tall, with no regard to their safety, indicated that the squabble was serious. As they grappled with each other, they moved closer to the end of the branch. Chloe sat up as they squeaked at each other, as they inched toward the end. Then they froze, glaring at each other, waiting for the other to make a move. They stood on the swaying branch, at an impasse. Then the smaller squirrel lunged at the larger one, causing both to topple off of the branch. She gasped as the entwined squirrels plummeted toward the thick grass. Cautiously, she looked down to see if they survived the fall. They have, and they continued grappling, as if a twenty foot fall was a mere trifle. She laughed to herself as they rolled on the lawn, oblivious to everything, including Sugar. Sugar crouched as the mayhem continued.
Chloe: (softly) Sugar, don't do it.
Sugar crouched down, even further.
Ch: (leaning out of the window) C'mon, Sugar. Leave them alone.
Nancy looked up and saw locks of chocolate hair, dancing in an updraft. She looked out to the yard and saw what was about to happen. As Nancy called to her, Sugar lunged at the squirrels. They released their grip and scurried up the tree. Sugar attempted to give chase, but the squirrels were already at the top of the tree. She barked in protest, as the dueling squirrels remembered the subject of their quarrel and went back at it. Nancy walked toward her, attempting to make her heel.
Ch: (leaning out of the window) Mom, please bring her into the house.
Nancy looked up and saw Chloe, surrounded by swirling locks. She sensed an ember, within Chloe, about to flame. Nancy picked up Sugar.
Nancy: (in Sugar's ear) There's Chloe. She wants to play. (kneeling to let her go) Go play with Chloe.
Sugar ran to the door, scratching to get inside. Nancy opened the door and Sugar scurried into the house, running upstairs to Chloe's room. Nancy followed her and reached upstairs, just in time to see Chloe crack open her door and allow Sugar inside. Nancy could hear Chloe reprimanding Sugar, in a tone reminiscent of a mother talking to her baby.
Ch: (baby talk) Naughty Sugar. Chasing those squirrels. They weren't bothering you. Yes. (rubbing Sugar's tummy) I guess that old adage is true: Fish gotta swim. Birds gotta fly. Sugar's gotta chase squirrels, til she or the squirrels die. (singing) Can't help loving that Sugar of mine.
She laughed to herself as Sugar squirmed in her arms. She placed Sugar on her bed and walked toward the window. She picked up a piece of sheet music and sat on the window seat. As she hummed a measure, Sugar barked frantically at the window. She looked out of it and saw thrashing leaves. Her squirrel pals were at it again and Sugar wanted to get in the mix. Chloe closed the curtains, but that didn't dissuade Sugar.
N: (knocking on the door) Sweetie, do you want me to take her?
Ch: (eyes pleading) Please, Nancy.
Chloe patted Sugar on her head and gave her a kiss.
Ch: (baby talk) It was nice seeing you, Sugar. Yes it was. I have some work to do, but I promise I will play with you later, okay? Okay.
N: (picking up Sugar) C'mon, Baby. I've got something for you in the kitchen. (looking at Chloe) Are you hungry, Chloe?
Ch: (looking up) No, I'm fine, Nancy.
N: Okay. I'll leave you to your work.
Ch: (smiling) Thanks.
Nancy slowly closed the door behind her. She snuggled Sugar as she walked downstairs.
N: (to Sugar) Good job, Baby. With your help, Chloe will be on her feet in no time. Now, I need to figure out what else she needs. C'mon, Baby. I have a special treat for you.
Chloe opened the curtains and cracked the window. She heard the squirrels bickering in the trees. She laughed to herself as she wondered when they will resolve their beef with each other.
Ch: (looking up from her sheet music) I wonder what Brady is doing.