You will love it here—she said we reserve it for newlyweds don’t mind the bees they won’t bother you the one circling your head hangs in the air a moment buzzing in place then moves on The pages in the sketchbook you carry say little and the new colors wait unopened on the green enamel table you read a mystery a Doris Lessing and then another an Agatha Christie in a yellow garden chair made of woven plastic and aluminum at the edge of the pond a big floppy hat—shades your eyes later you walk around the pond—not much more than a mud hole really carrying it Green algae floats geographically like lunar barges manned by twenty or so species of frogs (Tom, the gardener can name about five) a persuasive chorus as now the moon rises Your new husband is still not home the dinner of his favorites waits at the back of the stove The Zorsia pokes at and tickles your feet you sit again in the yellow chair watching the clouds parade across the moon and wake slapping mosquitos There are lights on in the cottage It’s time to broil the steak and remove the foil from the baked potato take the salad from the half-frig and sit across from each other at the rickety table knees bumping The bees hum all through the night on the other side of the bedroom wall you lie awake in the big honeymoon bed he snores softly sometimes breaking the rhythm to snort and catch his breath The fourth or fifth day after you circle the pond pulling your feet in their flip-flops out of the sodden grass every few steps—slow going you have that Alice in Wonderland feeling again On the way back for no reason you detour from the slate path choosing the mud and grass that goes around the back of the cottage the wall is black with bees from roof to floor bees continue to arrive from all directions they are everywhere and deafening You hold your ears In the morning After your husband Returns to work Your father comes to get you Provincetown, 2015/2025 * alternative final ending I don’t think I can stand one more day my father comes to pick me up his hug is fierce his faded blue eyes are wet he fires my new husband and sends us back to school Provincetown, 2025
Hiding Out