At Home

By Gail Aldwin

Daddy sits in the armchair holding the newspaper, but he isn’t reading. The pages flap and his eyes are shut. Breath rattles through his teeth and over his lips.

On the couch, Mummy lies across the cushions, staring at the stain on the ceiling where the bath water overflowed.

Wrapped up like a parcel, the baby is snuggled inside the basinet. With her pointy finger, Katy jabs the yellow blanket, digging into Josh’s belly where it’s warm and fleshy. That’s enough to make him wail.

“Stay quiet little man.” Katy strokes his downy head. “Mummy and Daddy need time to rest.”