Blind Spot

Background: This is a short story within the book DLC21.

    I love the sound of birds in the morning. They’re always awake before I am - well, most of the household is, but people don’t sing from the treetops to each other, greeting the first grey light of dawn with hungry mouths & ‘how are you’ queries. This is the rainforest of my awakening, & if I don’t move too quickly to scare them, I can sit up & still listen to their music, their life.

   Also, there is the not-so-gentle footfall of the breakfast goddess.

   “Good morning, darling.”

   Isn’t she stunning? She’s not clad in green for the forest, but in that striped bikini from our honeymoon. It’s too tight. She thought she’d lose more weight for the wedding. She barely fits in, & what doesn’t fit … works for me.

   I reach out & she takes my hand for a second.

   “Good morning, my Bonnie!”

   “Aren’t you chipper!”

   Time to slip into the phone booth, strip away this everyday street attire & don the superhero costume, I guess. Walk through the waterfall a few times, apply the bullet repellent, put the undies on the inside. Routine stuff. I do this with my eyes closed.

   “Where’s Archie?”

   Usually he’s annoying me by now.

   “He went outside for a bit.”

   “Did he eat?”

   “Growing boy. Of course he ate.”

   I can hear her in the closet. I wonder how’s she’s going to dress today, what assignment she’s on? It must be tough being a secret agent & always needing to be someone else. She will always be the woman I met, the woman I fell in love with, but I know how she’s so much more when she walks out the door.

   “I’ll see you downstairs, OK?”

   I must be taking my time. She didn’t ask if I need help. She’s stopped doing that, finally. Sometimes, the zipper doesn’t need to go right up to the the neck. I should think in terms of velcro. Isn’t that what most superheroes have? Or is that just Hollywood? Grab my magic staff - exactly where I left it. I don’t know why they have to be invisible, but I’m sure there’s a perfectly logical explanation for why no-one is allowed to see them. Does an invisible thing need a colour? One of life’s little mysteries, I suspect.

   Tap on the secret floorboard to make the door appear, & I’m headed for the kitchen. Follow the clatter.

   “Are you making my breakfast?” I grin at her.

   “Starting it for you - you’ll be late otherwise. Coffee’s here. Toast will be up soon. Here’s Archie.”

   Here’s Archie. Not exactly going to be a surprise, is he? Thump-thump up the steps outside. About six steps from the door, & he’s against my legs.

   “Found something interesting out there? You’ll have to show me later. We’re late, apparently.”

   Tap for time. Where’s that coffee? Follow the roasted smell.

   “The time is eight forty-five.”

   Fair call. Bonnie should be going. Nearly caught me from behind with her secret agent sneaking, but I felt the air move. Oh, how I love this woman!

   “Be good!” & a parting kiss.

   “I will.”

   “I meant Archie!”

   I can hear her smile as she turns & runs out the door. Did that lock? I think so. Doesn’t matter - we’ll be off soon, too. As soon as I find my coffee.

   Ding.

   & make toast.

   Ah. That’s not my cup. Where have I left my cup? Bonnie should have said something. It’s probably … OK, so I have no idea. I’ll have to get her to help me find it, tonight. She’s good at finding where things are hiding. Coffee still tastes the same, it’s just that mine’s a good cup when it behaves.

   “Right, Archie - have you got your jacket on? Feels a bit nippy, & we’ll have to teach you how to close that door behind you.”

   Do they even make labrador-sized doggie-doors? You can imagine a flap the size of a man. Probably a bit of a security risk, to be honest. It would be OK if I could teach him how to carry his own key, but then he may as well close the door. Opposable thumb, I think. That’s what he needs.

   Bag where I left it - it knows not to stray too far. Shame about the coffee cup. It needs better manners. Harness in the hall cupboard, hanging from the door. Again - things that know their rightful place will be appreciated more around this house. I’m going to have to have strong words with that coffee cup - if we can find it.

   Bonnie hadn’t locked up. That’s OK.

   “Just hold for a bit, would you, Arch?”

   Fiddly lock, this one. When you’re running late, I guess you don’t want to have to get into a siege situation & negotiate your way out. That sounds a bit mixed. Negotiate for hostages or surrender. Never surrender! Once more into the streets!

   “Eyes right, young man - we’re off to the bus stop.”

   I wonder where he thought we were going? It’s definitely not a park day. Doesn’t he even have the concept of weekends? What are they teaching these dogs nowadays? Disgraceful. It’s a good thing he’s lovable.

   I can hear his smile, too, when he looks at me. Then again, he does smile a lot. That’s dogs for you. I’m pretty sure they don’t teach dogs to read minds yet. Give them time.

   Garbage day. I’ll assume Bonnie sorted it out. Too late to go back. Let’s play slalom course with the bins on the footpath. A few taps with the magic staff & they disappear. Brilliant stuff.

   “You get in front of me, Mr Fab.”

   That’ll be Miss Gray. She only knows me by my superhero name. By her voice, you’d think she was a teenager, but the way she click-clacks in her stilettos, you know she’s had years of practice. Teenagers don’t understand patchouli, either, unless they inherit the taste from their mothers. Mind you, she still chews gum - with a more open mouth than absolutely necessary.

   “Mornin’, Sir! Mornin’, Archie.”

   The indomitable Stan. No better guardian of this portal has ever graced us. Upright & pure, trustworthy & sure. He should be a superhero. He has all the right qualities. Questionable breeding, but many officers rose from the enlisted ranks, so it must be possible.

   “Stan, weren’t you on yesterday?”

   “It ‘appens, Mr Fab. More than you’d think. Usual seat, Sir.”

   “Thank you, Stan.”

   “Right, Archie - we’re off for the next leg.”

   “‘Ave a nice day, Sir. Should see you again next week.”

   He’s in a good mood - I guess if he’s switched shifts, he’s gotten advantage. That would make anyone laugh at the morning. Speaking of ...

   “Do you think it’ll rain?”

   “No, Sir! Clear skies all day, I reckon.”

   “You go careful, Stan.”

   “Always, Sir!”

   Twenty-one steps to the door. Do you know, if I push my stride a bit, I reckon I could shorten the trip to twenty. I know it sounds a little daft, but that could be my new super-power. Lord! What would Brian say? “Don’t overextend yourself. One success at a time.” Very helpful, I don’t think.

   One tippy-tappy step. Two tippy-tappy steps. Three tippy-tappy steps. I do so like sandstone. It gives you a sense of solidity, but also the true feel of time’s erosion because of that dip in the middle of the step where we all grope our way towards the future & want to take a bit of the past along with us, or else kick it aside.

   Do I check my watch to see if I’m late, or give Margery something to do? That’s what Brian pays her for, I guess. Wouldn’t want to put her out of a job.

   “Am I late, Margery?”

   Terribly quiet in here. I must be the only patient this morning.

   “Margery’s not here today. Mr Fabian, is it?”

   That’s not fair - she knows my true identity & I haven’t a clue who she is. Act calm. You’re the superhero here. Northern accent. Midlands, not even up as far as Sheffield, I suspect. Interesting counterpoint to Margery’s soft-spoken Welsh, that’s for sure.

   “Hello! I don’t believe we’ve met: Charles Fabian.”

   Where did she go? I can’t even hear her breathing. Must be young. You put your hand out to shake & they disappear on you as if you’ve got a knife.

   Ah. She’s found my hand now.

   “Just here! I’m Bridget. Sorry - I’m not wearing my bell yet - you’re first in.”

   Margery always wears her bell. How on earth are we supposed to find people if they won’t put on a blasted bell?

   “I can help you to a seat ...”

   Good heavens! She grabbed my staff as if she could see it. She’s not wearing a bell, but she can see my staff!

   “Why? Did you rearrange them from last time I was here?”

   “Oh no! Never, Sir!”

   That’s better, she’s horrified at the accusation. Not that young, then. She’s also let go of my staff, thank heavens.

   “Let’s sit in our usual spot, Archie.”

   Magic staff forward. Tap-tap & the chair appears! I’ll bet she’s not seen that trick before.