Tink tink tink
Pause.
Tink tink tink
Small, yet clear, delicate noise. Eyes open. Think yesterday’s occupants had set the alarm next to me.
Rise up and unplug the clock—no, the lamp.
Tink tink tink
Unplug the clock. Lie down. Close eyes.
Tink tink tink
Husband says, “Must be the phone, sound’s coming from over here.”
Rise up. Go around the bed. Unplug the phone. Lie down.
Tink tink tink
Rise up. Go around the bed. Unhook the phone receiver. Lie down.
Tink tink tink
“Must be the neighbors ignoring their alarm,” says the Husband, “’cuz I checked my phone already…I’ll check it again…”
Pause, light from the phone shines into my eyes.
“Oops! It’s me! Low battery alarm! Sorry, Sweetie!”
“Dog!” I mutter at 5:55 on a Saturday morning in St. Louis
TR