It's Friday night. Bumpin' dance music has been traded for the hissing serenade of Craig's oxygen condenser. The "neon light" from laptop screens illuminates our seated silhouettes on Craig's bedroom floor. Drinks are on the house tonight, as they are most nights. The drink specials: Diet Mountain Dew, Diet Wild Cherry Pepsi, and, the stiffest of drinks, agua. Some nurse their drink slowly; some double-fist with water and pop; others (Diane!) blaze through the caffeinated beverages with reckless abandon as if to keep baseline for fear of a looming headache. This is our traditional "happy hour", throwing back our comfort drinks while spending time in each other's company.
I close my eyes and the nighttime bedroom sounds easily transport me to an ocean side camping experience - the condenser, a distant Orca whale coming to the surface to blow its air; the babbling bubble from his humidifier, a gentle rain. Of course, this is hogwash. There's no way to mask the fact that we now have the noisiest condenser known to man as our newest nighttime companion. To our delight, "Susie sighs a lot" loudly sighs at life every 5-10 seconds. Feels like we've stumbled into a Lamaze class with none of us being hopefull parents. It's a similar bitterness I feel towards the sighing machine. Still a wonder whether it will eventually fade into the background as white noise or whether it will forever be that annoying snoring slumber party guest you regret ever inviting.
Though "Free Willy's" air blow is a might bit distracting, the heavy breathing is a reminder of where I am - here with my brother. This is what matters in life -- savoring time with the ones I love, taking absolutely nothing for granted, making every hour a happy hour. ~E
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