A Very Good Day

Flash Fiction

A Very Good Day

Husband on a business trip, a perfect time to paint the living room!

John and I had different ideas about what a living room is for. I think, cozy, because you spend a lot of time “living in it.” Cozy, bright, soft cushions for watching TV, enjoying a book, visiting. He had the idea that it’s the “company” room, so has to be dressy and neat. Apparently, his parents had a lot of company (still do, in their retirement apartment) however, we don’t…

I tolerated the blue walls only because he tolerated the TV and sofa cushions. But now the kids were old enough to be watching the TV daily while I watched them, I did not want navy blue walls…

I was ready when he left for the airport! Kids at my sister’s with their cousins. I was on fire! I got one wall done quickly, gorgeous! Then had to spend some time catching a spider. (I can’t swat living things…) Finally got it outside. The kids not due back for hours.

But I’d left the door open taking the spider out… and as I walked back in, there was a feather on the floor that had not been there before…

I located its former owner quickly, an adorable, but terrified wren. I had no idea how to get it out. I left the doors open and opened all the windows, and tried to scare it toward them. The scare worked, the escape not so much. The wren flew over toward the window and landed on my paint bucket! And that was when John walked in… his trip had been cancelled!

He got the bird out, laughing his head off the whole time! And then, helped me finish the painting.

All in all, it was a very good day.