Flash fiction by Ruth Rosenhek

Familiar Constellations

I watched out of the corner of my eye as Lulu plopped her suitcase on the bed and tossed clothing into a pile. No. Not again. I stretched my legs and left the room.

That night, she grilled steak, potatoes, and broccoli, then arranged them on blue ceramic dishes, as if the meal might distract us.

We ate on the couch, watching a film about an older woman who no longer recognised her daughter. Lulu leaned closer to me as she cried.

We usually stroll after dinner but the never-stops-give-me-a-break rain was pelting down, so instead we snuggled in bed. She always hogs the blankets but I don’t mind.

I felt slightly nauseous and couldn’t sleep. I walked around the house, then lay on the couch for a while. Sometimes that helps.

Luckily in the morning, it was nice out and we drove to the butterfly sanctuary. The paths were crowded and we bumped into some of Lulu’s friends and their Maltese puppies. So cute.

Later, Lulu reminded me that she’d be leaving the next day to visit her elderly mother. I wanted to come along but she said it’d be better if I stayed home. Her mother was difficult even in the best of circumstances.

I’d sleep in our bed, walk in the park, eat a couple meals a day that Lulu prepared and put in the freezer in advance.

The sky was clear that night and Lulu, as always, pointed at the stars, telling their stories. I called out into the darkness and she joined me.

The next day, Lulu drove off. I paced the empty hallway to the kitchen that no longer smelled of steak. When I got tired, I lay in bed, one eye open.

Sometimes the neighbour came by and we went for a walk in the park, ate snacks together. I kept watch by the front window, glancing at the front gate. The food started to taste bland and the bed was no longer crisp the way Lulu kept it.

In the evening, I’d still look up at the stars but there were no stories.

Finally, I heard the familiar sound of Lulu’s car. I ran outside through the side doorway and she came shouting down the driveway, ‘Frankie, I’m home!’ I threw myself into her arms, whimpering, tail wagging, then raced around the yard in circles until she picked me up and held me tightly.

‘Thanks for taking care of him,’ Lulu called to the neighbour trimming his roses next door.

‘Wanna treat?’ she asked. And just like that we were back into our routine.

That night after our stroll, Lulu and I gazed at the stars. ‘Look there, Frankie.’ She pointed upwards. ‘Doggy star!’

I pressed up against her legs and her fingers scratched behind my ears just the way I liked.

Lying in bed later, I sighed deeply, then waited. Lulu exhaled in response and we both closed our eyes as I settled my head on her arm.