The Woman Who Wanted the World

 “Most people think happiness is about gaining something, but it’s not. It’s all about getting rid of the darkness you accumulate. 

                                                                 ~Carolyn Crane

Matilda strained her eyes to read the words on the page but the light from the lamp was simply too dim on the other side of her bedroom. She made a mental note to buy a reading lamp then closed the book and set it down on the floor by the bed. Her side of the bed. Restlessly, she fiddled with the sheets and pillows until she could find some semblance of comfort. Matilda made a mental note to buy new pillows too.

Perhaps while she was at it---she would purchase a new life as well. Immediately she felt guilty for thinking such a thing. After all, what was so bad about her life? Beautiful, well-adjusted children....a good solid husband, a nice enough address in a tony town and the freedom to do what she loved for a decent living. Her brain shamed her for such thoughts while her heart validated her constant yearning. Matilda yawned hard as if in rebellion. Her life was becoming a sad cliche as were her stupid dreams. A tear streaming down her cheek....she drifted to sleep.

The sun was hot on her back and the air smelled just as she imagined it would. The sand between her toes was more luxurious than any she'd ever walked on. She was here...she could hardly believe it. Glancing up the length of a jagged rocky beach cliff she could see him staring down at her from the observation deck that followed the entire southern facade of the home facing the water. He waved and smiled. At least she assumed it was a smile she saw from the distance. The entire home was fashioned out of timber and glass. All of the timber painted a stark pristine white.
At night the moon dancing on the water was beyond breathtaking. They would sit, he and she, holding hands and staring out at the bright lunar spectacle. Shooting stars filling the midnight sky. His hands were warm in hers and she could swear his eyes were pools of azure Pacific ocean.......

The alarm sounded loud at 5:30 am and Matilda glanced over to see that Tom had gotten up before her and was already in the shower. Very rarely was he on time for anything so she found it peculiar that she didn't have to poke and prod him out of his mouth breathing slumber. She sat up in their bed.... her heart heavy in her chest like an anvil. What a stupid, petulant woman she thought to herself. Always dreaming about glass houses and shooting stars.
Her slippered feet shuffled down the stairs to the kitchen to make a pot of coffee. Staring out the window listening to the gurgling of the brewing coffee she thought today would be a good day. No, .....it would be a great day. Matilda decided today she would make a big crock of her husband's favorite soup. French Onion.
Before Tom could make his way downstairs mumbling about his lack of sleep, Matilda checked her bank balance.

What was wrong with wanting the world? "Nothing at all," she said out loud. "Remember that, nothing at all."
It was there, the World. Ready for the taking to anyone who was brave enough to steal it.

Matilda was about to steal it. The World and it's glasshouses and shooting stars.





                                                                                                     CJ Ellis