Bonus

I first looked at the clock this morning at 6:22. I finally rolled out of bed at 7:17. In between those two minutes, I floated and fluttered in dreamland as only a CPAP connoisseur can.

Actually, I didn’t roll out of bed. I levitated. Had to. Couldn’t risk awakening her.

We live in a house that has developed squeaks with age — my body understands that phenomenon — and I have had to memorize where to step and where not to. I quietly tiptoed out of the bedroom, softly closed the door, and gingerly stepped down the stairs one at a time. I listened. No sounds of stirring above me. I let out a restful sigh. I safely arrived in a new day.

I usually get bonus points — definitely need those in this season of life — if she smells coffee brewing when she awakes, so that task always gets done first. I was at the kitchen table when she finally came down from the bedroom. After saying good morning, she went right to the window and looked out on a beautiful spring morning. Bright sunshine. Royal blue sky. Just a sliver of dew on the grass blades.

“Bonus,” she said.

I smiled, sure of my score since the coffee was ready. “Such a beautiful day is such a great bonus,” she said.

Oops. She used the Tuesday bonus card for something other than the coffee.

She went to another window and looked out on the backyard. “The daffodils are coming up. You need to rake the leaves out of the flower beds. You can do that later, after you get four quilts done. Got it?”

I nodded.

I guess you could call that a bonus — rake leaves in the backyard — but I have to admit it was not what I expected. Oh well, at least today’s bonus entry on my to-do list is outside on a lovely spring day, not in the cellar. She’s oh so kind, a lovely, kind soul is she.

Hi, my name is Keith and I’m a quilter. I have 26 days to quilt 52 quilts.