Trapped. What does that word evoke? I was like a lioness walking back and forth in her cage, trapped, watching others look at her ready to pounce and be who she needed to be. Don't get me wrong, I have a great life. I have a terrific husband who is a good provider, children who are flawless, I am on the PTA, have regular card games, a beautiful home, I am the envy of all my neighbours, my life is perfect but sometimes even perfection can be a cage, make you feel trapped.
It was the early 50s home sweet home. Walking around this house running my finger across the table to see if there was any dust. I just did this, nothing, it feels like maybe an hour ago? Can dust accumulate in that short span of time? I am waiting for something to happen.
Like late at night when it's so hot dead silence in the house and I run downstairs and take an ice cube and run it over my neck and down lower lower. Getting lost in that moment close my eyes and reach down and I can't tell if I am wet from the melting ice cube or something else. Click he is up hear him shuffling to the bathroom. God I am trapped. Back to bed.
Oh it's going to be hot today. Another heat wave, I must draw the curtains to keep the heat out or keep the heat in? Dinner is ready, everything in its proper place. Tapping my fingers on the kitchen table in sync to the clock. It reads 10 am. My god I am trapped.
Doorbell rings.
He is so handsome. He is talking and I am watching his mouth move but nothing comes out but silence. He is telling me something about being a travelling salesman. I tell him he should come in out of the heat and speak with me. I know the neighbors might see. I don't care. I am so excited to talk to someone, anyone. I offer him a glass of cold ice lemonade. He accepts gratefully and comes in.
He is talking about something called a vacuum cleaner. I don't care what it is. My heart skips a beat as I watch him speak again I know he is talking about this vacuum cleaner contraption. I watch him put the pieces together, his hands look soft but I know they are strong, the way he snaps the pieces in together, one at a time. I am disoriented, he says "maam" "hello". Brings me back to the moment. Oh yes I am here. "Do you have an outlet I can plug in the vacuum cleaner to show you how powerful it is?" he says. I look startled, did he say powerful? I point to an outlet and excuse myself to go and get some lemonade for him.
I am in the kitchen. I am rattled. Thinking what in God's name am I doing? Inviting a strange man into my home? Getting all excited like this? I must regain my composure. Touch my hair to make sure it's in place and pull my blouse down, good. I am good. I am better.