Robert - Part Two

Bridget tip-toed toward her side of the bed in complete darkness. She slowly lifted her side of the blankets and eased her body very carefully into the bed.

“Do you know what time it is.” It was not a question, but a statement. She flinched at the sound of his voice.

“I’m sorry Hun, I just got in. I was trying to be quiet," she whispered in his direction.

Robert and Bridget were currently working opposite schedules. And he was making her life miserable for it. Robert had to be up every morning at 5:00am to get to his part time job at the bakery. He only worked 5 hours a day, and spent the rest of the day gaming. Bridget, on the other hand, worked 12:00pm to 1:00am shifts at the hospital. She worked this shift at least five days a week, sometimes six, if she could get the overtime. She was the one paying all the bills, after all. They needed the money.

Every night when Bridget arrived back at the apartment they shared, she had to play the quiet game. Don’t make a sound. Don’t close a door to hard. Don’t let cabinet doors swing shut on their own. And she wouldn’t dream of letting the microwave beep. Worst of all, was getting into bed. Robert was a light sleeper. He woke up almost every night as she slid herself silently into bed next to him. It didn’t matter how much effort she put into keeping the lights off, making no noise, being a ghost. If he woke, it was her fault. Therefore it would be her fault if he called in sick the next day because he was “too tired” to go to work. Then he would be free to stay home gaming all day long. He was never too tired for gaming. Dusk until dawn, no problem. But a 5 hour shift? No way, can’t do it. He’s way too tired.

“Tomorrow you’re sleeping on the couch.” he grumbled angrily at her.

“Hun that’s not fair, you know how much that old couch hurts my back," she whispered, pleading for some human decency.

“I don’t care, you’re the one who can’t make it to bed on time.” He was practically yelling now.

“You know I work until 1:00am, how exactly am I supposed to go to bed with you at 9:00pm?” She was still whispering, not wanting to be the reason things got loud. Before long, the downstairs neighbour would be banging on the ceiling to silence their fighting.

“You’re a big girl, figure it out. Sleep at the hospital if you have to. Just be home in time to make my breakfast. You’ve already ruined my sleep so I’m gonna go raid for a bit," he muttered, standing up and putting on his shirt.

Tears rolled down her cheeks as she lay alone in the bed, listening to the sounds of his game from the living-room.