Eyes

By William Householder

She sits staring at him. Holes bore into skull. Eyes shift to the opposite of her. Look up. Look down. Look left. This interesting page. That no-see-um. Light reflects from a passing car. Still looking? Yep. Breakroom cold today? Nope, just you. Seconds pass slowly. Time is a lazy punk! Soup tastes salty though creamy. Same page as five minutes ago. What is this book? Hear the crash of a minute passing. She rises, rinses her mug, retreats. Breathe again. Push away soup. Close book. Close eyes. Nelson Algren: ‘Never sleep with a woman whose troubles are worse than your own.’