Such Great Heights

Most years they would sit in silence. Neither would know what to do with their hands, so they would take turns stoking and prodding the fire. When the time came to give presents, they would look at each other with apologetic smiles and go back to what they had been doing before. The roast would normally burn and an unhealthy layer of dust would grow on the tree’s baubles.

One year, their last, was different. Getting up from the same old armchair, she made her way to the kitchen. She took the carving knife from its magnetic holder and filled a large metal bucket with water.

He had fallen asleep and was dreaming about living his life again. 

She went back to the chair and threw the water over the fire, which gave a violent hiss and went out. Then she sat back down and thought for a second about why things were as they were. Remembering why, she dropped the knife and went to bed.


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