Afternoon Tea
by James D. Burns
She stared across the large den at her husband. He sat on the plush couch reading a book. She wondered why she had married him, but the reason escaped her. She despised the little twigs of hair that protruded from the sides and back of his bald, shiny head. And how there was no transition from his chin to his chest, only a glob of wrinkled flesh. Katherine fondled the diamonds on her wedding ring. She traced her fingers across the cluster and counted them one by one. How can he sit there like everything is fine? Does he take me for a fool? Does he think she’s some stupid, senile old woman? She’d have him know men still look at her and more than one of them would take his place. She ran her hands down her long, silk dress admiring the way her body had maintained its shape.
“Would you care for some tea?” Katherine stopped the chair and waited for his answer, which didn’t come. The deaf idiot can’t even hear me anymore. “Henry,” she yelled, “do you want a cup of tea?”
He peered at her over the top of his spectacles and pushed them further down his nose. “What did you say dear?”
“I said I was going to have some tea and asked if you would care to join me.”
“I suppose.” He leaned against the overstuffed arm rest, positioned his glasses and lifted the book.
“What are you reading that has you so intrigued?” Katherine pushed herself from the wooden rocker and walked to the couch.
“Did you say something?” Henry asked, as he turned the page.
“What are you reading? Henry, can’t you hear me or do you just not listen when I speak?” She stroked her graying hair with her fingers then tugged at her dress, smoothing it over her hips. She supposed she could stand to loose a little weight. But why should she? He wouldn’t notice.
“It’s...some sort of mystery.” He replied as he continued to read.
“Who is the author?”
Henry flipped the book over in his hands as if looking for a name. “Uh...some new guy...Ben McWorter.”
“Undoubtedly it must be very interesting. You seem to be captivated. What is it about?” Katherine placed her hands on the back of the couch and leaned forward.
“Not really, I’m just reading to pass the time.”
She jerked her hands from the couch and moved to face him. “You mean so you don’t have to talk to me, don’t you?” She put her hands on her waist and tapped her foot.
He glanced up at her momentarily and said, “I thought we were having tea?”
“Do you want sugar and cream in yours?” She glared at him through dark, deep set eyes. Her brow furrowed, fists clenched by her side.
“It doesn’t matter.”
She stormed out of the room to the kitchen. She’d show him. How could he think that she didn’t know about her? Did he really believe she was that naive? Katherine thought of the times she had followed him to the motel and the way she slipped behind tress when he looked back.
And how that woman, that whore, was always waiting in the doorway for him. The way she grasped his arm and led him into her room. How could he do that to her after all the years they had been together?
Didn’t she mean anything to him? Wasn’t her father’s money enough for him? Wasn’t she enough for him? She choked back the tears as she opened the tiny vile and poured a small amount into Henry’s cup. I want this to be slow. I want him to suffer the way I have the past few weeks. I want to look into his eyes and tell him I knew all along.
“Here you go, dear, I made it just the way you like it, a teaspoon of sugar and a touch of cream.” Katherine placed the silver serving tray on the coffee table and sat next to him. She slid her fingers through the handle on the imported China cup and placed it in the palm of her left hand.
“Better drink yours while it’s warm.” Katherine blew across the tea then sipped. She smiled as Henry lifted the cup to his lips, but the moment was interrupted by a knock at the door.
“I wonder who that could be?” Katherine asked, then set her cup on the tray and walked to the door. Her eyes widened as she gazed into the face of a woman, the same woman she had seen at the motel. “May I help you?” She’s more beautiful than she looked from a distance, and much younger. What could she possibly see in Henry.
“Yes ma’am, I’m her to see Mr. Guthridge.” Her voice soft. Her accent Asian.
Katherine glared at her for several seconds then asked, “Do what? How could you come to my house?” The nerve of this woman. And how dare Henry for inviting this harlot to my home. The woman seemed confused at Katherine’s remarks and eased away from the door.
“Aw, Anneliese, you found the house. Great, come in.” Henry said from behind Katherine. “This is my wife, Katherine.”
“Glad to finally meet you, Mrs. Guthridge, Henry has told me so much about you?” Anneliese offered her hand to Katherine.
Startled, Katherine looked at Henry then at the young woman. “What is this Henry? What are you doing? Why is this...this...woman in my house?”
“I’ll explain in good time, dear. Show our guest to the den. I must excuse myself. Seems I’ve eaten something that doesn’t agree with me.”
Henry grabbed his stomach and rushed away.
Okay, she’d play his little game. But in the end, she’d be the one who won. “Won’t you come in, dear? I’m sure Henry won’t be long.”
Katherine held her head high and swung her hips as she led Anneliese to the den. “Please, sit down.” She pointed toward the rocker and then took her place on the couch. She glanced down at Henry’s cup and smiled when she saw it half full. Katherine lifted her cup to her lips and sipped. “Would you care for some tea? Anneliese, wasn’t it?”
“Yes ma’am, if it isn’t too much trouble.”
“Oh, it’s no trouble at all dear. Make yourself at home. I’ll just be a second.” Katherine smiled, sucked in her tummy, stuck her chest out then strolled out of the den.
“Here you go, dear. There’s sugar and cream if you care for those.” Katherine sat the tray down in front of Anneliese. “Henry, are you feeling better?” She asked, as she sat next to her husband and put her hand on his thigh.
“No, I’m not feeling well, not well at all.” He lifted his cup and drank the last of his tea.
“Well I’m sure it’s nothing to worry about. You’ll be fine in a little while. Can I get you more tea?”
“I don’t believe so. I have something to tell you then I think I’ll lie down for a while.”
“Oh, I already know what you have to tell me. I’ve known for quite sometime now.” Katherine smiled at Anneliese as she watched the woman finish her drink.
“You do? Who told you? I wanted to keep this a secret, a surprise for you.”
“I followed you, Henry. I saw you at the motel with her. Oh, and I am surprised. You have more balls than I ever gave you credit for. I would never have imagined you would bring her into my home. How are you feeling, my dear?” She asked Anneliese, who clutched at her stomach.
“What have you done to me? My stomach, it hurts so badly.” The woman replied, doubled over at the waist gasping for air.
“What in the hell are you talking about Katherine?” Henry yelled, as he leaned against the back of the couch. He put his hand over his mouth and vomit spewed between his fingers.
Katherine laughed. “How does it feel, Henry? Does it hurt? Now you know the pain I felt when I saw you with that woman. How could you do that to me after all the years we’ve been together? I hope you suffer as much as I have.” Katherine sneered at Anneliese as she fell to the floor. Blood oozed from her mouth. Her eyes rolled back in her head.
Henry wiped his mouth. “What are you talking about Katherine? What have you done to that poor girl? What have you done to me? She was going to be your new maid, Katherine, your new maid.”
“Sure, then why were you at the motel with her.” Katherine pointed at the woman on the floor.
Henry convulsed then mumbled, “I was helping her make arrangements to get her family moved.” He fell over on the couch. His head lay on Katherine’s lap. Blood ran from the corner of his lips and stained her white satin dress.
“Maid! What do you take me for Henry, a fool?” She pushed him from her lap and stood over the dying girl. Katherine reached down and took the woman’s purse from the floor. Inside, she found a contract offering the girl the position of maid. Tears crept from the corners of her eyes when she read, Of course the final terms and acceptance of this agreement are subject to my lovely wife’s approval. Signed, Henry Guthridge.
I was previously published at Long Story Short, Writers Village University, and currently have two poems published on the Texas Poetry Anthology website. James studied under
