Bandages
Sara wraps flowers in bandages. Bought some flowers. Had bandages. Started wrapping them.
She's forty-two. Lives in the Bronx. Does data entry from home.
The flowers wilt. She wraps them anyway. Gauze around stems. Around petals.
Her daughter visits. "What's that?"
"Flowers."
"Okay."
They eat lunch. Daughter leaves.
Sara buys more flowers. More bandages. Wraps them at the kitchen table.
At work she types numbers. Eight hours. Wrists hurt from typing. Types anyway.
After work wraps more flowers. Has some on the counters. Windowsills.
Her sister calls. They talk about their mother. The nursing home. Hang up.
More flowers. The bodega guy sells them to her. Doesn't say anything.
Her daughter texts: "Can you watch Emma Saturday?"
Sara: "Can't. Working."
Daughter: "You work from home."
Sara: "Still working."
Daughter: "Fine."
At work more numbers. Wrists hurt. Takes ibuprofen.
Her manager emails: "Please submit your timesheet."
Sara forgot. Submits it.
After work wraps more flowers. The apartment smells. Sara opens windows.
Her ex-husband texts: "Can you pick up your mail?"
Sara: "What mail?"
Ex: "Been here for weeks."
Sara: "Okay."
Doesn't pick it up.
More flowers. Wraps them. Has a lot now. They're everywhere.
Her mother calls. "You didn't visit."
"Sorry. Busy."
"With what?"
"Work."
Hangs up.
At work can barely type. Wrists hurt too much. Takes more ibuprofen. Types anyway.
After work buys more flowers. Wraps them at home.
Her daughter calls. "Emma's sick. Can you watch her?"
"I'm working."
"You can work here."
"Can't."
"Why not?"
"Just can't."
Daughter sighs. Hangs up.
Sara keeps wrapping. One flower falls. Dead petals on the floor. Leaves it there.
Next day steps over it. Wraps more flowers.
Her sister texts: "Mom says you're not visiting."
Sara doesn't respond.
At work emails from her manager about deadlines. Sara responds to some. Not all.
Her landlord texts: "Rent is late."
Sara: "Will pay tomorrow."
Pays it two days later.
After work buys flowers. Wraps them.
Her sister shows up. "What's going on?"
"Nothing."
Sister looks around. Sees some of the flowers. Doesn't say anything about them. "Mom is upset."
"I know."
"You should visit."
"I will."
Sister leaves.
Sara wraps more flowers.
At work her manager calls. Sara answers. Manager asks about productivity. Sara says she's been having wrist issues. Manager suggests taking breaks. Sara says okay.
After work wraps flowers. Runs out of bandages. Goes to pharmacy. Closed. Goes home.
Sits at the table. Looks at the wrapped flowers. Some are falling apart.
Her phone rings. Doesn't answer.
Next day buys bandages. Wraps more flowers.
Her daughter visits with Emma. Emma sees the flowers. "What are those?"
"Just flowers."
"Why are they wrapped?"
"Just are."
Emma touches one. It falls apart. Dead petals everywhere.
"Sorry Grandma."
"It's okay."
Daughter and Emma leave after twenty minutes.
Sara sweeps up the petals. Wraps more flowers.
At work types numbers. Takes breaks for her wrists. Manager seems satisfied.
After work her sister calls. "Are you coming to Mom's birthday thing?"
"When is it?"
"Next Sunday."
"I'll try."
"That means no."
"I'll try."
Doesn't go.
Wraps more flowers. Has a lot now. Maybe sixty. Maybe more.
Her wrists hurt. From typing. From life. Wraps more flowers anyway.
Phone buzzes. Daughter: "You missed Grandma's party."
Sara: "Sorry. Forgot."
Daughter: "Okay."
Sara wraps another flower.
