Mrs. Curtis woke early one morning and went about her rituals.
No one said a word to him, because they saw how great his suffering was.... "Why is light given to those in misery, and life to the bitter of soul, to those who long for death that does not come, who search for it more than for hidden treasure, who are filled with gladness and rejoice when they reach the grave?Job 2:13-3:22
It was the one Mrs. Curtis was waiting for. She did not say anything or act differently all day. She simply went about her business as she had for more than forty years. Mrs. Curtis washed the dishes and scrubbed the toilet. She made London Broil with twice-baked potatos for dinner. She went to the cupboard under the kitchen sink to retrieve the cyanide.
It was the same as killing a cow, thought Mrs. Curtis. You simply had to be sure that the poor creature did not see it coming. The gin masked the cyanide quite nicely and Mrs. Curtis was glad. It was terrible to see a creature in pain. She was pleased that she could end their misery so neatly.
Mrs. Curtis hated a mess.
He drank and smiled, as he always did, and listened to the radio. Mrs. Curtis smiled back, and considered joining a bridge club. Suddenly, he sat up straight, eyes wide. He only had time for one word, "Wait!" and then he died.
Mrs. Curtis was quite distressed by that "Wait!" She knew she had done what was best, but was not prepared for his objection. Could he not see that she had saved him? Had he not longed for death? Mrs. Curtis was troubled, but she sighed and moved on. No use crying over spilled milk.
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