She opened the curtains and looked out. No snow.

“No snow, Betty. Too bad, eh? Well. Too bad for everyone else. I guess good for you, though.” There was no reply, and Mary went on. “Good, right? You don’t want snow. You want some breakfast?”

Betty only turned her head.

“Oh, come now. It’s Christmas, right? Christmas! What shall we have? I think I’ll make some eggs, and some bacon. You like eggs. Right?”

Still no response. Mary moved around the bedroom, tucking hair into barrettes, feet into socks, shirt into pants. “These pants. Dammit, Betty. Look at these. I’ll have to change. Something.” Distracted now, wiping the pants, and knowing Betty wouldn’t answer. “I can’t go out like this, can I?” Continue reading →