Everything was perfect.
The laundry was all dried, folded and put in the proper drawers. Floors were mopped and waxed. Dinner was in the oven. Windows were sparkling to a gleam. Perfect.
Here hair was perfect. A little bob of sweet chestnut brown, delicate bangs to lightly hang in precision over her brow that shaded her bright blue eyes.
Her dress was perfect. The subtle flower pattern complimented her creamy skin and the design cut to her body gently showing her curves in all the curvy places. The back dipped modestly low, cooling her skin in the summer days that made a lady sweat when it was unflattering. It flowed around her calves, the same milky white flesh as her shoulders. With small diamonds at her ears the only indulgence on her body, her wedding ring completed the wife costume she wore like a badge of honor.
The children were done doing their homework at the kitchen table and were already in front of the television in the family room. When the timer chimed, Susie removed the pot roast from the oven and heard the front door open.
"Honey, I'm home," her husband called out as he removed his coat and hat.
Before George could walk into the dining room, he knew the table would be set and his wife would walk through the door at any moment with the roast; today was Wednesday. He could smell the anticipated meal as he entered the dining room and saw his beautiful wife bring the platter in to its place on the table.
Perfect wife.
Perfect children.
Perfect house.
Perfect life.
Yes, everything was perfect.
That is, until the lights went out.
When dinner was finished and Susie was in the kitchen cleaning the dishes from dinner in the sing, George brought her his plate. "Thank you, dear," Susie said as she pulled her hands out of the soapy water to take the dish from him. The soap was covering her fingertips and her grip was not as good as it should have been. The dirty plate fell to the floor with a loud crash and it seemed like time froze for Susie and George. Their perfect world was tilted by the clumsy fingers of Susie as she stared at the white porcelain shards at her feet.
She was afraid to look at her husband's face. The anger would be simmering in his eyes, but he would have a calm mask covering his face. The children ran into the room before she could look and brought her back to reality.
"What was that crash?" her son, Bobby, said. His big sister, Karen, looked on at the plate without saying a word. Their father without moving said, "Everything is alright. Go up and brush your teeth for bed," in a calm voice that had goose bumps running over he body.
They always listened to their parents.
Susie's fingers trembled horribly as she bent to pick up the shards at her husband's feet. He didn't move. He didn't speak. He didn't help. When it was cleaned and thrown in the trash, George said in a slightly strained voice, "Are you alright, dear?" He only calls her dear during these moments. That word made her bring her eyes up.
He was furious. His eyes were shaking inside of their sockets and behind the concerned smile his teeth were clenched, his jaw tight. While the entire time, deep inside, her body tingled. She tingled for so many reasons.
"Yes, darling. I'm fine. I'm so sorry, my mind escaped me and I didn't realize how much soap I put in the sink." She was rambling and she knew it.
He put a hand on her shoulder and kissed her cheek. He can be so restrained. "I understand. Accidents happen. Why don't you finish here and I'll see the kids to bed." Smiling, nodding, her loving husband left her to swim in her fear alone in the kitchen.
'Why did I do that? Why do I make him upset? My plan is going to fall through, I know it.' She mumbled to herself, whipping the kitchen clean before her husband could come back.
When he walked down the stairs, his shoes were off and his tie was undone, as well as the first two buttons on his shirt. Susie was standing in the middle of the immaculate living room holding a glass of Scotch on the rocks; George's favorite.
"Are the children in bed?" she asked, hoping that he didn't hear her voice shake. With a nod he took the glass from her and took a sip.
"H-h-how was your day?"
"He didn't answer her, only finished the drink and handed the glass back to her. She refilled it at the bar and as he took it, he said, "Make yourself a drink and I will meet you in the basement," before walking away.
Alone in the dark living room, Susie grabbed the bottle of scotch and drank two huge gulps straight. The basement? Is that necessary? She made herself a glass of vodka without noticing, she drank it in one swig. 'Calm down, Susie. It won't be that bad.' Refilling her glass, she walked out from the living room and stared at the basement door. It stood open and almost welcoming if it wasn't so menacing.