On Thursday night my boyfriend asks me to
take out the trash.
I cook dinner.
I eat it on the couch while watching Breaking Bad.
He sits next to me.
After dinner he pauses Breaking Bad and says
“It is time to clean. I’ll take out the trash.”
On Sunday afternoon I cook dinner.
It takes three hours because I am using a new recipe.
I forget three ingredients at the grocery store that are important.
It tastes different.
I throw it away and leave the soiled bag in the trash bin.
On Monday morning my boyfriend asks me to
take out the trash.
I lick peanut butter off of a spoon.
I leave the spoon in the sink.
We sit on the couch and watch Sports Center.
I tell him my mom wants me home for the holidays.
It has been a while since I have been home.
He asks me questions about going home and not going home.
At 7:00 on the dot he gets up and makes coffee.
At 7:14 he puts his coat on and says
“It’s time to go. I’ll take out the trash.”
On Wednesday night I call my sister.
I tell her I am coming home for the holidays.
I tell her it will be just me.
When I get off of the phone my boyfriend says
“I wish you had told me about the holidays. I don’t like hearing news second hand.”
I apologize but I do not understand why he is mad.
Today is Thursday.
I fill my plate to the brim and eat most of it.
I leave the plate on the coffee table and watch two episodes of Breaking Bad.
My boyfriend says it’s time to clean.
I slide the remaining noodles into the trash bin.
There is vodka sauce on the plastic lid now.
It will be there for at least two months
I’m guessing.
After we clean I ask my boyfriend
“Why do you care about the trash being out?”
He doesn’t hear me the first time so I ask again.
When I ask him a second time he says
“I don’t know. I guess I’ve just always liked things to be clean.”
Today is Thursday night.
I think I understand now about taking out the trash.
If you take it out regularly it does not settle.
The smell does not sink in.
The bag does not get heavy and thin and tear.
It is easier to take out that way.
In small pieces.
As often as possible.
Before it starts to collect.
