Walter

“I just forgot, Adam,” Walter said. Adam scowled at his father, who stood in the middle of the living room shifting uneasily and wringing his hands as though he were rubbing them with soap.

“But, Dad—” Adam took a loud, deep breath and clamped his lips together. He shook his head slightly, slowly. He noticed a spider web on the ceiling corner beyond his father. It fluttered gently as the oscillating fan turned its attention toward it.

Walter turned to leave the room.

“But you went for bread, didn’t you? Huh, Dad? Bread, you went to get bread for dinner. You asked which we wanted, plain or sesame, remember that, Dad? Plain, I said, sesame seeds make a mess, remember? And you come back with half a dozen bags of godknowswhat, but no bread. C’mon, Dad, what’s wrong with you?” Adam waved his arms in the air and glared in Walter’s direction.

“I’m sorry, I just forgot,” murmured Walter. He turned and walked down the hallway, darkened by the evening hour. Behind him, he heard Adam cursing under his breath and slamming something down. He walked down the hall, his legs suddenly aching with fatigue.

In his room, he sat, exhausted, on the edge of his bed. He could feel his quickened heartbeat in his throat. His scalp crawled with dizziness. He waved the air to clear the little flashing stars before him. He thought he should lie down but didn’t seem to find the energy to move his legs, which hung heavy and numb all at once. He licked his lips.

“I just forgot,” he whispered. He half shuddered as he heard the kitchen cabinets slamming. He collapsed back onto the bed, shoes and all. He concentrated on his pulsating chest. The rhythm seemed to be slowing. He listened to the hum of the ceiling fan, whirring about, fluttering, whirring, fluttering.

Walter woke with a start. He sat up confused. Through the darkness he could hear Adam and Carol yelling, little Jeremy crying. A surge of panic came over Walter as he remembered the bread. Now you remember, he thought to himself. If only he could rewind, do it over. Why on earth had he forgotten? He felt he needed to get out of his room. The darkened walls seem to close in on him. It was hot and muggy, even with the fan. He got up and stretched, feeling faint for a moment, but pushing himself in search of fresh air. He squinted at the lights in the living room. Adam was pacing about the kitchen. Carol was rocking Jeremy on her hip. Jeremy, face red and puffy, was quiet for a moment, and then, as if he had suddenly remembered to, began crying again.

Walter cleared his throat. “I think I’ll just walk around to the 7-11 and get that bread now,” he announced.

“Dad! I didn’t realize you were up. That’s okay, don’t bother, dinner’s nearly ready anyway, we can get on without it. I found some breadsticks up in the pantry, that’ll do.”

Walter wasn’t sure how Adam meant “don’t bother.” Walter felt very awkward standing there. “Really, I’d like to get some fresh air. Isn’t it hot in here? We may need the AC tonight. I’ll be back shortly.”

Carol was soothing Jeremy. Adam took a step toward Walter, “But, Dad, dinner—”

“That’s okay, y’all go ahead, I’ll warm some later,” he called out as he opened the front door.

Walter took a deep breath of the evening air. It was still warm, but there was a swirl of salty coolness drifting in. Walter turned east. A stroll on the beach was just the thing. He’d stop by the 7-11 on the way home and pick up that bread.