“This is not the day for it, Henriette!”
She looks at me balefully, full of apology.
I don’t buy it for a minute.
“Come on, now. You broke that planter to get my attention.
You know you did. I am down to my last blue nerve with you.
If you don’t behave, it is off to the dungeon with you!”
She knows I mean it, so she sits up to her full height
which is really something to see.
“That’s better, Henriette. I appreciate you making an effort.
Very good. Perhaps I’ll be able to give you a little treat.
Now, go to your corner, and we should be able to go for a walk
– later!”
Henriette seems a little sulky now,
but the many-eyed creature slithers off to her own dimension,
taking madness and infinite dissension with her.
I hold what remains of my self-control with me
and thank the heavens that our universe is allowed
to breathe for a moment more.