story: Nigel and Miriam

Nigel and Miriam
by Kay Poiro - keishapoiro@yahoo.com

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“Wakey-wakey, love.”

Miriam ignored Nigel for the second time that Tuesday morning. Not because it was Tuesday, but because his insistence was never appreciated on Tuesday nor any other morning.

“Miriam, darling. There’s a delightful frost glinting off the windows and—"

Miriam tapped him lightly, savoring the brief silence. She was well aware of the snow, thank you very much. Spinning a duvet cocoon and ducking her head inside, Miriam achieved temporary escape from her dodgy flat (and even dodgier shower pipes), Lilly the Jumper Thief and the inevitable frostbite from standing in the taxi queue for a ride to the worst job in the world.

“Very near 7:00, love.”

Miriam covered her face with a warm, flat pillow in a vain attempt to block out Nigel and his whiney proclamations.

“I know it’s early, but—"
Miriam could take it no longer. Launching the pillow across the room, she stared him down.

“Really, Nigel? Is it early? Just how early is it?”

“—but you do realize you’re guaranteed hot water if you shower by 7:15?”

Miriam returned, pillowless, to the duvet cocoon.
The telephone rang, competing with Nigel’s insistence. Miriam answered and allowed Lilly into her morning.

“Miri, you aren’t still sleeping, are you?”

Grunt from Miriam.

“Well, it’s freezing out and I wanted to know if I could borrow your cashmere jumper—My God, what is that awful racket?”

“That’s just Nigel—I mean, the alarm clock.” Miriam tapped him once more. Five more minutes.

“That’s better,” Lilly sighed. “Anyway, be a sport and lend us the blue cashmere jumper. Before you say, the last few time weren’t my fault. I swear. Anyway, I’ll return this one, promise. What do you say?”

Miriam grunted and hung up, the Jumper Thief’s latest casualty. Could the day get any worse? She swung her legs over the bed and onto the chilly floor. Memories of the duvet cocoon tantalized her. Her big toe crept from the floorboard.

“No, no, Miriam! Stand up. Have a hot shower, maybe one of those banana muffins Lilly brought—”

“Cork it, Nigel.”

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bio: Kay Poiro is a writer living in Maryland.