0. The Fool. [Reversed]

Our Rooming House—MORNING

I practically run from The City back to our little rooming house By the Shore.

But my second thoughts catch up to me as I cross under the red rose arbor. My hand falls from the knob in hesitation. I stare blankly at the wreath upon the door for a moment. It’s the holidays. New beginnings.

I go in.

Through the living room and down the hall. I enter our rooms cautiously, slowly, closing the door behind me.

Andrea sits in the bed, naked, swaddled in purple blankets. When I enter she jumps and covers herself, reaching for the batons she kept near the bed to fend off an intruder. Realizing it’s me, the blankets fall again. They are grayish I think, not purple at all.

Sex and Love, I muse, Is it too much to ask to Master these Two Worlds?

She looks at me with sad eyes. Tosses the cudgels aside.

“Tenez-moi. Aimez-moi. Toute la journée.”

I take two hesitant steps towards the bed, “Toute la journée?”

“Pour toujours, Piteux.”

With nervous obligation, I hedge, “Okay, but I really have to get to my job.”

She grabs at me. “I have such bad cramps and look! Voila! My breasts are swollen!” At her indication I cross the room, and then move a hand over her belly and chest to confirm. She adds, “I know that you want to make love to me.”

I nod. I just want Freedom to Live.

“And I want us to make love, as well, but I cannot in this condition.”

I am crestfallen. I fall to my knees.

This has happened before.

She pats me on my balding head, soothing the sweaty strands of hair back to my scalp. I am shortened, but awake. Back in the World. She smiles.

“I am not always well. You know that, my Piteux.”