Seize the hour

Do you have to be here, Jane snaps.
She clearly had it with Luc.
I'd rather walk the avenue of gloom alone than be in a room with you!

She turns around resolutely.
Instead of Sam's back, I'm now looking at hers.
The two are becoming more and more alike.
Calm down, dear, I say.

Luc likes to overrule and ignore Jane.
'Whining bitch' are the words written on his face.
Surprisingly he doesn't respond immediately
He's focused on his phone.
Even if we've turned into stone,
He wouldn't notice it.

That's it!
One minus point for you
I push the confiscation box under his face.
You know what we do, in with it.
The rules are accepted by you.

Sorry, sick kid,
You can't expect me to obey.
Hey, I'm just asking if everything is fine.
No need to make a drama because of dusty Jane
He's lying, Sam mutters.

Luc, hand it in or you can leave.

There are times I have to be strict.
I don't like it.
Those few rules are made for a reason
We need to feel safe with us
Even if it can be dangerous.

Our group, we are, not only obsessive
but also impulsive and creative.
We are individuals who value our privacy.

Yeah, well, it is what it is you see, Luc responds.
His face doesn't show any emotion.
His answer is what we'd expect,
It's like the sound of a drum continuing in your head whenever you think of him.
I can't blame Jane, the guy is annoying.

Jane is upset, and panicking.
Her husband is on his way.
Tom misses B., he keeps his mouth shut.
How easy it is to change from a talkative man into a silent one.
He looks worse than a beaten dog.

Luc's behaviour is not healthy for the group.
I feel sorry for his "child", but...
The phone falls into the box with a thud.

It doesn't matter whether you're here by obligation or by choice, we'll let each other talk, I say.
Jane, I understand your fear, you don't need to see your husband right now. It's up to you.
You know it has to happen at some point, right?
If you like one of us can be present too.

I want a divorce, it has to end, she says.
I can no longer tolerate him, his rage and punishments.

Good girl, Sam says relieved, it's about time.

That's why, I think, those two know each other.
Sam joins the group voluntarily. He's Jane's rock.

Let's set the table, we can use the desk, I suggest.
Distract, keep busy, seize the hour is my motto.
Come on Tom, roll up your sleeves.
Let's please the gods and the spirits.
Halloween, All Souls, All Saints, it doesn't matter.
We will celebrate together.

I have candles, says Jane, but no flowers.
The dark cloud over her head is no longer that black. She looks relieved that we're focusing on something else.
While Tom and I fill the bowls with food it appears
That Sam has disappeared.
Sometimes he's like a ghost, is what I think.

Jane is creative and handy,
She folds all kinds of figures from napkins,
decorates them with candy.
It looks great.

How easily a tablecloth made the hated desk disappear.
Wouldn't it be great if a cloth could do that too with all the pain from the past?
New cloth, a new start, no fear.

Tom seems to be more active.
He's even talkative.
Let's visit Brigit I suggest, she might have had enough rest.
A sight escapes from his chest, while a smile appears on his face.
Finally, the sun breaks through and he says: Thank you!

Sam is back.
He carries a huge pack.
Made by me, he mumbles.
It's a painting of a flower meadow.
I didn't know he was such a great artist.

Instead of flowers, to brighten up the place.
I notice the paint is still wet.

We admire the gift even Luc who hasn't said a word since he handed in his phone.

I light an incense stick before we leave.
Just smells like freshly baked cookies, Tom says,
while he takes a deep breath.
Come on, I say, let's visit B. before she thinks we are dead and buried.
Without her, we are not complete.
Will you carry this bag with cookies?

Greetings from the 6th floor

6-11-2023

The photo is taken by me.