Turning the bed

The valley in the bed had cradled their dreams and passions as bodies found each other for nearly twenty years; until it didn’t.Today,  sleeping alone,  Anna rolled out of that bed spilling tears yet noticing the numbness ebbing and a ritual funeral for those memories taking form. The universe cracked, for a moment , when Hank declared his leaving over biscuits and eggs casually mentioning  Durango.   She heard a sonic boom of garbled don’t love you anymore and need to find myself as if he had left his red mittens in the school yard only to be recovered in the lost and found box.  He stood up and moved towards the door as casually as he had walked through it so many years ago. Hearing him call out “come Gomer” she felt the mutt brush by her legs.  Watching his 1974 beat up Ford truck kick up dust as it hurried towards the tar road kept her on the porch imagining it was only temporary; yet only her denial supported the mirage. Letting the screen door slam she felt the shivering despite the heat and knew she was ready to move out of the valley of lost dreams. Pulling off sheets and throwing pillows she grabbed onto that mattress and flipped it to the side of reclamation.  Fueled by guts and spitfire Anna stuffed Hank’s belongings into garbage bags  destined for Goodwill needing to rid the cabin of his sweaty smell that stubbornly lingered in the hot air of summer’s promise.  Anna set about finding ways to readjust her world as she wiped the mirror clear of an old image of herself. Standing naked she took a long look at the strong beautiful woman she had become slipping jeans over her loins then turning away from the bed and entered the day.