The Wild Hunt

A giant cockroach lies dead behind the toaster. I can't believe we haven't seen it; perhaps it's been there for weeks. 20 years in this apartment and we've never had roaches, she gasps, but they might just have been here all along. The evening ends in dispute, doors close in silence. I realize one of my bedroom windows is open--all these days of arctic cold and I had no idea. 

It's getting harder and harder to sleep at night. The alarm clock rings regardless.