silvie
by darlene Eliot
Silvie is as restless as the bubbles in her mother's water glass. As rare as the pine nuts her mother requests to quell cravings. As eager as the server to keep things moving after Silvie's father says, get her whatever she wants. The server retreats to the kitchen, navigates the heat and the hustle; returns to the table, tray in hand, to hear Silvie's mother say she has changed her mind again.
Silvie is as perfect as her mother's silk dress. Her father's Half Windsor knot. The gleaming black car that delivers her and the bassinet to the house. Silvie giggles and coos in the glow of the nursery. Waiting for the other occupant to arrive.
Silvie is as mischievous as the brother who arrives two minutes after her in the hospital and two weeks later to the house; hands still tucked under his chin. The nursery is so quiet, Silvie turns her head to make sure he is still there. The parents dismiss the staff for the night, just to see what it's like. Then tiptoe into the nursery like it's a hiding place for a surprise party.
Silvie thinks ahead to her crawling and tumbling stage; the muscle memory of walking and racing. The panic of her parents who can't figure out how the high chair moved from the table to the window. The firing of staff who can't seem to manage the children. The calling out while she and Martin race down hills. Crawl through grass with the neighbor's dog. Run into streets to test for squeaky brakes. And take their mother's Russian Blue on high speed chases through the woods.
Silvie is as still as the parents standing over her crib right now. She can't see them clearly but knows, in spite of the hesitance, they are smiling. They lean in. Silvie's mother cradles Silvie's hand; giving her knuckles a quick kiss. Silvie's father rests his hand on Silvie's head like an outdated bike helmet. They don't know what's about to happen. And won't understand when everything changes. They're used to shelter and sameness. And it's the first time they've ever been here.
Darlene Eliot's work has appeared or is forthcoming in Epiphany, Bellingham Review, Pinch, The Offing, and elsewhere. She lives in California.