The Last Day

It was an unusual Thursday morning when I heard… the sound of bacon sizzling on the stove. Completely and utterly unusual. Oh, the in-laws. They came in a couple of days ago. I knew they were coming soon, but I didn’t think this soon. I was under the impression that I, unfortunately, had a few more weeks. Thank God they came early. It was getting bad this time around.

Everyday they did something different. The first day was biking, second day was fishing, and the third day was hiking in the mountains. All activities that do not include me. I need to be a stay at home mom.

Sad to say, today is the last day. They are going home after breakfast.

I got up, careful not to make a single sound. He would be upset if I accidentally woke them up. I get myself ready, in the clothes he has presented me lying on the vanity chair. And I make myself look as presentable as possible. I have to look the fitting part of a more than reasonable wife.

I slowly make my way down the stairs, mindful not to make any noise, and sneak into the kitchen. I am greeted with a plate of bacon, eggs, and toast. Weird. He doesn’t usually let me feast, and he usually says that I should be wary of what I eat.

He hands me my plate with a wry smile, and leans in to give me a kiss on the cheek.

“Good morning beautiful,” he smiles. One would think it was genuine, unless they knew him well enough. Shoot, it almost fooled me.

“Hi,” I whisper lightly, and vigilantly clasped my hands around the cold plate, then head to the table to sit and eat.

I put my plate on the table, and look around before I sit. My mother-in-law is greatly enjoying her eggs, my sister-in-laws are fighting over what jelly they want, and my father-in-law is attempting to tell them to have a little more manners. I sit down on the far end of the table away from where my mother-in-law is and right beside where he sits.

He finally gets finished and comes in and sits down. He forces me to hold his hand on the table and I turn to him and give him a small smile. My mother-in-law looks so ecstatic.

Everybody gets done, and I go to the sink to do the dishes. My mother-in-law comes in asking if she could help with anything and before I can say anything, he comes in and assures her that I have it under control and that he will help them get everything packed nicely into the car.

I look out the window to watch everyone struggle with putting their luggage into the car. They are all smiling and laughing and having a good time. I audibly sigh. Because I know that when they leave everything will change.

We say our goodbyes and he goes out to see them off. I stay in the kitchen watching everything from afar. A tear comes to my eye as I watch the car drive off.

Then all of a sudden the door closes and the tear slips down my cheek.