Sometimes when you are doing a thorough cleaning of the cat litter, as in throwing it all out and starting afresh, which involves also a big sweep of the scattering of cat litter across the floor, sometimes you push aside the big dog bed to get underneath and find a small squished dead mouse.
Now, you were quite a hero last time you found a dead mouse under the dog bed. Handled it yourself. All alone. But it was not squished and so you must call Timo.
Luckily, you have a Timo in your life. A brotherly neighbor. He says he'll be over in 15 minutes so while you are waiting you tidy up the superficial mess you left behind when you dashed off to see Fred right after lunch.
That you cannot leave immediately for her walk makes Bird upset. You can tell she's upset because she is having a mad scratch at herself. You explain that you have to wait for Timo, that you know it's dog-walk time, and as you explain this you are stroking her back over and over. She stops scratching herself and you feel satisfied that an understanding has been reached.
Timo comes by. Not in 15 minutes, but what's a chunk of time give or take between old friends especially when he is going to make your home habitable again? He takes care of everything in 23 seconds flat, and then you realize there's an unpleasant odor from where the squished mouse had spent a little time.
So now you are cooking your dinner, all the dog-bed covers are churning away in the washing machine, you've sprayed white vinegar on the floor and will do more tomorrow...right now you are hungry and the unpleasant odor has been reduced to a whiff.
I like how the narrator refers to herself as "You" in this piece full of great details about the stinky mouse, the dogs need to go out and the helpful neighbor. The narrator is in charge, in the center of things.
ReplyDeleteI always learn something about writing from this narrator...how everyday things take on their own meaning and importance to quality of life...cleaning scattered litter and having a trusted neighbour handle what at the moment is too much to do alone...cleaning as deeply as possible till only a whiff is left in evidence. Clarity in all things and certainly in writing.
ReplyDelete