#28 Dance Around

China got tired of Sophia, and besides that, Spring was coming, so she decided to ger rid of her. It would be easy, and she wouldn’t have to do any heavy lifting. All she had to do was give her her medicine when she asked for it, then the authorities would haul her away. Really, Sophia would be doing it to herself. Besides, China had her brothers now. She knew Sophia would ask for medicine tonight, so she decided to do it then. It was Sunday, so everything would be open the next day, and also, nothing would be wasted. She made a special dinner; Filet Mignon Roast Beef, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, and Buttered Sweet Parsnips. She mixed some carrots in the parsnips for colour. She had bought a bottle of red wine, and the two of them imbibed. She only bought a small roast, and would make catfood later. Sophia loved the gravy, put it on everything, but China was hoping to save some for the catfood. It wouldn’t hurt one bit; Sophia would just go to sleep. Sophia talked animatedly about how she was going to start getting up to go to church, then she got tired, and asked for her medicine. It was probably the wine. China pierced a hole with a syringe the way the doctor taught her, but this time there was way more than the recommended dose. She watched the slightly discolured fluid travel down the vinyl tube. China moved over to the other side an took Sophia’s hand in hers. Sophia snatched it away, and asked for more wine. China poured her a little bit; she didn’t want to waste it. Sophia grabbed the glass, drank down the wine, asked for more, but then promptly fell asleep. China watched her until her chest stopped moving up and down. There was a brief moment where she struggled but then surrendered, and stopped breathing.

China went out to the kitchen, drank red wine, and checked on Sophia when she thought she she would have gone cold. She got drunk. Afterall there was a lot to celebrate. China was going to go back to the community, and she would return to church. She would call the authorities in the morning.

After she was sure Sophia was dead, China spent the rest of the night moving the big stuff back in the bedroom. Maybe she would have to do some hauling. She knew she should wait, but she was excited. What do they know. She dragged the bureau with all her clothes back into her bedroom. She glanced to the left. Sophia was just a still lump under the blankets. She developed a spring in her step, and flicked the lights on. She started dancing around the room, so put some music on. She was so happy. She was free. China danced into the kitchen, poured the last glass, and danced into the living room. She could see the unmoving form of Sophia in the bedroom. The door was usually closed. She turned up the music, held the glass up, and danced around the living room. She sloshed a little bit, so stopped, and drank it all down. She grimaced. There was a mess in the kitchen. She could see part of it. She left the music playing, walked into the kitchen, stepped in the puddle of spilled wine, and started washing the dishes. She looked down. Something about the red splotches on her socks reminded her of something, but couldn’t think of what. She tucked the empty bottle the garbage, stuffing it down to the bottom, then tying the garbage. Normally she recycled, but not tonight. China glanced at the clock. She had to get some sleep; tomorrow was going to be a big day.

In the morning, she became aware of the hushed silence coming from the bedroom, and jumped up to call the emergency services immediately. She threw off the blanket, and left the door open. She looked like hell. She took one look at Sophia and decided to mess her up a bit. She couldn’t do much; the body was too stiff and cold. Th emergency services came right away, tried to revive her, but then just covered her, head too. They shut the door behind with a gentle click, as if they didn’t want to wake her, then said they had to ask some standard questions. ‘…was she sick…how long…what was nature of China’s relationship to the