B of E #20: socks to tell no tales

it is a sock

a grey school-sock
from one of the boys
on the mat outside the front door

curious

herd the boys in
set the packages down
start the kettle
a cup of tea and then

.

.

.

.

the window is open
not much
but open

it wasn't left like that

slowly
to the bedroom

knick-knacks
from the bedside cupboard
huddled on the floor

another sock

drawers open
the bed oddly angled
some things look different
some the same
surreal

the lounge room

empty CD holder

the spare bedroom

no lap-top
game-boy and DVDs gone
a backpack
unable to be accounted

mess on the floor

nothing broken
just mess
a vague awareness of absence

prickling

send the boys to the neighbors
I SAID NOW
check all the rooms
under beds
in cupboards
never mind what’s gone
make sure no-one is there

call the police
no tidying till they get there
only a few hours

wait
learn that socks
eliminate fingerprints
the backpack carries the take
this happens
all the time
there is no danger
don't forget to do the insurance
in the morning

put it out of your mind
go to bed

rest easy

~