The Problem

by Margaret Noel

Heading along the corridor leading to his chamber Vincent paused.He was hit by a sudden flash of frustration followed quickly by asurge of anger. Concerned at what could have upset Catherine so hequickened his pace. He stopped outside the entrance in time to avoidan object that sailed past his head. Stooping down to retrieve it hewas surprised to see it was one of Catherine's canvas sneakers.

Straightening up he entered the chamber. This time he was not solucky. The second shoe hit him squarely in chest.

Catherine was red faced and glaring. "Don't you dare laugh!"Seated on side of the bed her feet didn't quite reach the floor andshe bore more than a passing resemblance to someone who had swalloweda rather large beach ball. As her pregnancy had advanced her sense ofhumour had diminished. Of late the slightest provocation could sether off and her tunnel family had begun to give her a wide birth.

Coming to sit beside his wife he handed her the sneakers. Vincentstruggled to keep a straight face. "I believe these belong toyou?"

She made a face at the offending items. "**##! *# Shoes!"

Vincent was appalled. "Catherine! Such language."

The victim of tidal size mood swings she burst into tears.Gathering her against his chest Vincent murmured words of comfortinto her hair. "It's alright. Tell me what's wrong. How could shoesget you so upset."

"I'm not upset with the shoes! I'm upset with my feet!"

"Your feet?" Looking down he studied them. Aside from a slightswelling that accompanied advanced pregnancy he could see nothingamiss. "Did you hurt them?"

"No I didn't hurt them!" she snapped

Vincent was completely adrift. "If you didn't hurt them thenwhat's wrong?"

Sniffing loudly she explained. "I threw my sneakers away because Igot mad. I wanted to go for a walk. To go visit Mary or Max andthat's when I discovered the problem."

Knowing he would probably regret it Vincent asked, "Whatproblem?"

"I CAN'T REACH MY FEET!"

Vincent began to laugh.

The End