OLD-MAN EYES

It seemed just yesterday she'd done fall cleaning and hung heavy drapes. Now, it was summer curtain time. The older she got, the shorter the seasons seemed. Winter had sped by.
It's past time to get the curtains done. But, lately I'm always behind. I didn't think getting older would be so bad, but I hate it. Slapping her leg for emphasis, she watched muscles quiver. No wonder our love life isn't so great now. What's attractive about an old-woman's body?
She admired the glittering gleam of sunshine through the freshly cleaned windows while arthritic hands fumbled the rod through the curtains. Grunting up the ladder, she pushed the rod into place on the holder and dragged the ladder over to hang the other side. Kerplunk, the newly hung side fell. Wonder when Sam will be in? He should be helping with this. The thought was barely gone, when she heard his deep voice.
"You need some help there, Pretty Lady? I always liked to help girls with pretty legs."
She looked around, in surprise. She hadn't heard that tone in quite a while."How can you say these old legs are pretty? You need an eye examination."
"Honey, you've always had pretty legs. Still do. The only difference is I'm seeing them with old man eyes." He lifted her from the ladder.
Before sleep overtook her that night, she thought: "We're not older, we're just better. Young love, hah!"

Patricia Vance, February 3, 1997


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