It’s dark outside so the window reflects the bedroom door
slowly opening outwards. It’s an old
house and the door was put in backwards many decades ago. The lock is on the outside which makes you
wonder if it was intentional. There’s a
silhouette in the doorframe, darkness surrounding her. One can almost imagine a bolt of lightening in
the background.
The silhouette emerges into the harsh light coming from the
kitchen and begins the slow shuffle to the bathroom door. It is only six feet away but it might as well
be a mile. She stoops at the shoulders
and her eyes are almost entirely shut.
Coordination is minimal so care must be taken in the long journey from
bedroom to shower.
At this point Lorraine realizes that the shuffle has stopped
short of the bathroom door and the stooping, squinting creature is staring at
her. Oh dear, she must have a question. Lorraine turns around, coffee in hand,
waiting for the pending discussion.
2 seconds, 5 seconds, 10 seconds pass. Finally, the creature manages to croak out a
question about the day’s schedule as it concerns Lorraine. The question is not fully formed since mental
coordination seems to be keeping pace with physical coordination. Fortunately however, Lorraine can fill in the
gaps and mercifully gives a one word answer.
At first it seems the creature is not satisfied with the answer as she
continues to stand and stare through puffy eyelids. Eventually it sinks in however and she gives
an almost imperceptible nod and turns to finish the shuffle into the bathroom.
Irritated or amused, depending on the morning, Lorraine
finishes pouring her coffee. She knows
that in less than 15 minutes her housemate will emerge from the bathroom a
human being: alert, wide-eyed and bushy-tailed.
Reveling in this amazing transformation, she continues with her morning
routine.
Early birds may get the worm, but early grasshoppers need a shower first.
