In Her Mind (Mountain High Valley Low ) by Renee Daniel Flagler Page A

house. A part of me didn’t feel obligated to explain simply because he was my son. But when reality speaks loud and clear, one has no choice but to listen. And right now, reality told me that I needed to let Lexie know something if I still wanted her to be my wife. I just didn’t know where to start.
    For days, Lexie would come home and walk around the house as if I didn’t exist. The only time she would open her mouth to speak was to say “the food is in there,” or to make a quick, pointed statement about some matter of importance concerning the wedding or some other unavoidable subject. The only comforting thing was that she still spoke of the wedding as if it was definitely happening.
    It was time to make her talk to me or at least listen to what I had to say. I couldn’t let this issue fester any longer and possibly get out of control. There was much too much at stake. As much as I wanted Lexie as my wife, I wasn’t willing to sacrifice a relationship with my son. Besides the tension in our home, I couldn’t stand looking into Lexie’s eyes and not seeing the fire that normally resided there. Knowing that I was the reason the spark was gone made me crazy.
    Lexie came through the door looking her professional best in an off-white pantsuit, a baby blue button-down shirt, and matching sandals. Her auburn-tinted hair hung loosely against her shoulders, held back from her face by her designer shades. She placed her laptop bag, pocketbook, and keys on the table by the door as she removed her sandals in compliance with her own house rule: No shoes in the house. Once her sandals were off, she grabbed them by the back straps, picked up her bags and keys, and headed for the bedroom, never stopping to acknowledge my presence. I sat and watched her move swiftly through the apartment. This time, I couldn’t help but smile, realizing how ridiculous this game had become. It was time for it to end.
    Approximately fifteen minutes later, Lexie emerged from the room, sporting a light gray tank top and matching lounge bottoms. Again she walked past me and headed for the kitchen, clinking plates and utensils as she prepared something to eat. I decided to play her game right along with her, just to show her how absurd it was. I fixed my eyes on her and watched her every move. After she realized I was studying her, her actions became a little more exaggerated. Annoyance spread across her face until she couldn’t take it anymore.
    “What, Brian?!” she stated, tight-lipped.
“What, Lexie?!”
My response made her stop chopping bell peppers long
    enough to sigh and allow her attitude to spread all over her face. I continued staring, concentrating on her every move, scrutinizing her with my eyes.
    “What do you want, Brian?” she asked in that same tightlipped manner. “Why do you keep staring at me?” Then she put the knife down and threw her hands in the air. “I wish you would stop because it’s really annoying.”
    “Oh, really? You’re annoyed?” I asked with mock surprise. “I thought I didn’t exist? How is it that all of a sudden I annoy you?”
    She huffed but didn’t answer. I got up from the couch and swiftly walked over to her. It was clear that I’d caught her off guard because she jumped when I approached her. I have to admit, I’m not one for playing games for any amount of time. I held her firmly by the arm to let her know that I was serious, then waited for her to stare directly into my eyes before speaking. Knowing Lexie as well as I do, the arm grip was sure to get her attention. Even though she looked at me as if she was about to stab me with the knife she was cutting vegetables with, when she read my expression she realized it was time to listen to what I had to say.
    “For the past four days you have walked around this house ignoring me and acting like I don’t live here. Now I know you are upset, but this is not the way to handle it. You are being childish and I’m not putting up with it