Chapter Two: The Wind Blows at Home
"Just were you last night, Arnold Anthony Granger?" Amarita clenched her fingers about the rims and rolled her wheelchair over to the table. Her husband sat perusing the classifieds, re-dunking a half-eaten donut into his coffee for the ninth time.
"Just out," He groaned and finally took a bite of the soggy confection and grimaced. "The coffee's cold."
"Probably because you have been sitting there for forty minutes!" Mrs. Granger stole the paper away and tapped Mr. Granger with it.
"I have to find another job." Arnold held a hand to his forehead. "You know how tight things are Mara, it's a blessing Hermione can support herself. What with the medical bills and you out of a job, we will be lucky to keep the house much longer."
"I told you I don't need a big house." Amarita wheeled over to gently knead her husband's back. "We'll survive well enough, all that matters is that I have you." She gave Arnold a kiss. "With you gone all the time, it gets lonely about here."
"I told you, you should email Hermione." Arnold took another bite of cold, sopped donut. "She has the summer off and would make a great companion for you."
Amarita winced. "She still does not know, and I am not about to tell her. I do not want my daughter feeling sorry for me." She had to yet informed Hermione that her 'illness' had taken the form of a highly progressive neurological collapse. A month ago, her legs had grown too weak to carry her, and recently her grip was shaky as well.
"Well it's your decision." Arnold said a mite too harshly and stood, taking back the paper and stuffing it into his jacket. "I am going out for a bit."
"Again?" Mara pleaded, "Please stay."
"I may be back late, don't wait up."
The door slammed behind him as he left, leaving Amarita to clear the dishes.
Three skips forward
Two skips back
One skip sideways
Rabbit Trap!
Turn around
Lie on your back
Two, three hours
Freed from Rack
~ The official chant of the street game 'Rabbit Trap', as publicized in "Blood Legacy: The Once and Future Power in the Age of Decline". Only three copies of this book are known to remain, in the property of private collectors.