[ WP ] Death is literally on your doorstep , but it 's Halloween . He is having a hard time explaining himself .

The grandfather clock on the other side of the living room permeated the silence in the house as it tick-tocked undisturbed. This was the first time I was alone since before I could remember. Time seemed to waste away as the night flew by, and I quilted for literally what was hours on end. I fused Eastern Indian textiles of vibrant reds and yellows, and intertwined them with patches of abstracted, pastel colors. Often times, projects would take me a few days, or weeks to finish, but for once I had the house to myself. It was saddening, and gratifying at the same time. 
 
 Seven rolled into Eight, and Eight into Nine. Time paid no attention to my feelings, and nor did Edvard -- but that's okay. As long as he's having a good time. All I ever wanted was for him to be happy. 
 
 Nine meshed into ten with the blink of an eye. My stomach growled and I felt a bit faint, but the quilt was finished. I felt good. Empowered. Successful. I had n't felt this way in a long time. *Not since my younger years*, that is. I pushed in the recliner, slipped my feet into my sandals, and flopped a few steps into the linoleum tiled kitchen. I wiped the lenses on my bifocals with sleeve on my nightgown before returning them to my face. My stomach grumbled again. If I was this hungry, I could only imagine how hungry he would be when he got home. 
 
 Ten slipped into eleven. I had n't finished the preparation for our meal and it had already been an hour. *Where has the time gone? * I guess I could say the same for the past sixty years, though. I slid the wooden knife block closer to me and my medication bottle rattled as it rolled across the counter. I thought about it, but could n't remember if I had taken my pills or not. It was a constant battle and I doubled up on the medication *just in case*. 
 
 Midnight. The grandfather clock gonged at the same time it always did, and the pendulum clicked louder to inform me of the time. *I knew what time it was. * It reminded me of how time passed by like sand in an hour glass... watching everything and everyone go by on the outside, but no one stops to let you in. 
 
 Heavy thuds barged against the frail door to my medium sized trailer home and I called out to see who was there. 
 
 `` Ma, it's Edvard. Open up.'' 
 
 *Oh my beloved Edvard is home! * 
 
 I got so excited I almost forgot to put the knife on the counter before hobbling to the door. 
 
 `` I'm coming, dear!'' 
 
 When I unlocked and opened the door, a bloody mess tumbled onto the living room carpet and I stepped aside. I was speechless. My son was covered in blood with a butcher's cleaver in hand. 
 
 `` I... uh... um...'' Edvard stood over the obese body that laid half in and half out in the doorway between the living room and front porch. He was having a hard time finding the right words to say, so I reached my hand out and rubbed his short stubbled cheek. 
 
 `` Did you have a good time?'' I asked, not sure what to make of the situation. 
 
 `` Yes, ma'am.'' 
 
 `` That's all I ever wanted, sweetheart. Your first halloween out by yourself. I'm very, very proud of you.'' 
 
 Tears streamed from Edvards eyes. 
 
 `` Come inside. Mommy will take care of everything, do n't you worry. I wo n't let anyone take you away from me.'' 
 
 * * * 
 
 ^^/r/EdenRenellaJones 

