The Marriage Mender
Ray Bradbury
In light of the sun, the head was like a fountain, and rose in plumes of bright light. There were figures of lions and gargoyles and bearded goats. It was something awful, even at midnight, when Antonio was sitting on the bed and untied shoelaces, and extending the calloused paw touched the shining harp. Then he threw in that fabulous dream machine, and there, lying, breathing heavily feeling that he closed his eyes.
"Every night," the voice of his wife slept in the mouth of a calliope.
The complaint shook him. He lay a long time before daring to caress the hardened fingertips cold metal of the head rambling, the strings of the lyre that had sung so many ardent and beautiful singing, over the years.
"Not a calliope said.
"Scream like a calliope. Millions and millions of people around the world, sleeping in beds tonight. Why do not we, I ask the saints?
"It's a bed," said Antonio sweetly ringing behind his head, brass harp, a little arpeggio. For him, the arpeggio was St. Lucia.
"This bed has had humps as if under a herd of camels.
"Come on, Mom," said Antonio. When called her mom was upset, but had no children. You were never like this, "he went on until six months ago when this woman down, Mrs. Brancozzi, bought a new bed.
"The bed of Mrs. Mary Brancozzi said wistfully. It's like snow. Smooth and soft white.
- I do not want no damn snow, smooth, white and soft! Antonio shouted, angrily. These elastic ... touch them. I know. They know that at this time of night I lie well, at two o'clock, as well! And the three well, and the four way. We are like acrobats, years ago we work together and know all the falls, and all points of support.
Mary sighed.
"Sometimes," he said in the dream we are maker of marshmallow candy store Bartolo. "This bed-
Antonio said the dark-served our family since before Garibaldi! From this single source of honest entire districts were born voters, a healthy squad and honorable military, two confectioners, a barber, four seconds tenors to Il Trovatore and Rigoletto, and two geniuses so complex they never knew what to do with their lives! Not to mention all beautiful women who decorated ballrooms. A horn of plenty, this bed! A real combine.
"Two years ago we were married," said Maria Domenica, her voice trembling. Where are our second tenors to Rigoletto, our genius, our decorations for the dance halls?
"Patience, mother.
- Do not call me mom! This bed is too busy to flatter you all night, and never did anything for me. Even a child! Antonio
joined.
"You allowed women of the house you are talking about spoiling dollars saved, dollars per week. Do you have children Mrs. Brancozzi? "She and her new bed? Five months have passed.
- No! But will soon! Mrs. Brancozzi said ... And the new bed is so beautiful! Antonio
lay on the bed and pulled the covers. The bed howled like the Furies who cross the night sky and get lost in the dawn.
The moon changed the design of the window in the floor. Antonio awoke. Mary was not in bed.
got up and peered through the open door of the bathroom. Mary, standing before the mirror, her face looked tired.
"I do not feel well," he said.
-discussed. -Antonio reached out to caress her. "Forgive me. I think about it. For the bed, I mean. We'll see what happens to the money. And if tomorrow you're not well, go to see the doctor, huh? Now go back to bed.
next day at noon, Antonio left the mill and went to watch the showcase of the new beds, the blankets away overnight guests.
"I'm a beast," he muttered.
checked his watch. At that time, Mary would go to the doctor. He had been as cold milk that morning, and he had said he saw the doctor. He walked to the bakery and watched the taffy-making machine that folded, curled, stretched. Marshmallow will cry ", he wondered. Maybe, but so high that we can not hear it. He laughed. Then, in the stretched taffy, saw Mary. Frowning, he turned and walked to the house of furniture. No. Yes No. Yes! She pressed her nose against the frosted glass. Bed, he thought, you, you're there, new bed, do you know me? Will you be good, at night, with my back?
slowly pulled out his wallet and spied the money. He sighed, looked long at the head of smooth marble, the unknown enemy, the new bed. Then, thrusting his shoulders, entered the furniture store, with money in hand.
- Mary!
went two by two the stairs, running. It was nine o'clock at night, and left the extra work at the mill. Smiled and rushed through the open door.
There was nobody in the house.
"Ah," said disappointed. He
receipt of the new bed on the desk so that Mary would see upon entering. When he worked until later, Mary visited the neighbors downstairs.
I'll get it, he thought, and stopped. No. I want to tell themselves. Wait. He sat on the bed. Old-bed
said goodbye. Forgive me.
nervously patted bronze lions and wandered around the room. Come, Mary. Imagine the smile of Mary. Listened
waiting to hear the quick steps on the stairs. Someone climbed slowly, quietly. No Maria is my thought, so slow, no, not her.
The doorknob turned.
- Mary!
- You came back early! "Mary smiled, happy. Would he have guessed? Did you take writing in the face?, Thought Anthony. "I was down," said Mary, "by telling everyone!
- Telling all?
- Doctor! I went to the doctor!
- "The doctor? "Antonio was puzzled. - And?
"And, Dad, y. ..
"You mean ... Dad?
- Daddy, Daddy, Daddy, Daddy!
"Oh," said Antonio tenderly, so she came up with so much care.
hugged her, but not too strong, and kissed his cheek and closed her eyes and sobbed. Then she had to go wake up some neighbors and tell them, shake them and tell them again. A wine inevitable, a careful waltz, a hug, a shudder, kisses on the forehead, eyelids, nose, lips, temples, ears, hair, chin ... and then ... was already midnight.
"A miracle," sighed Anthony.
were again alone in the room. People who had been there a minute earlier, laughing, talking, had tempered the air. But now they were alone again.
When the light went out, Anthony saw the receipt on the desk. Embarrassed, tried to decide how subtle and delicious surprise Mary with the other news.
Maria sat on the edge of the bed in the dark, hypnotic wonder. He moved his hands as if her body was a strange doll, separate parts, and now had to put it together again, piece by piece. Moved very slowly as if he lived under a warm sea at midnight. In the end, trying not to break, leaned against the pillow.
"Mary, I have something to say.
- Yes? Mary asked dully.
"Now you are as you are. "I shook his hand. "You deserve the comfort, relaxation, beauty bed new.
She did not weep with happiness and looked at him and hugged him. Observed a thoughtful silence. Antonio
felt compelled to continue.
"This bed is only an organ, a calliope.
"It's a bed," said Mary.
"Under the bed is a herd of camels.
"No," said Mary quietly. Whole districts were born here of honest voters, enough for three army captains, two dancers, a famous lawyer, a high police and seven singers, bass, tenors and sopranos.
In the twilight of the room, Antonio looked at the receipt on the desk. He touched the worn mattress. The elastic gently moved ready to recognize each member, every muscle fatigue, bone pain. Anthony sighed.
"Never argue with you, baby.
"Mom," said Mary. "Mama," repeated
Antonio.
And then, when Antonio closed his eyes and pulled the blankets up to his chest, and lay in the darkness at the bottom of the source, before a jury of ferocious lions and goats metallic amber and grinning gargoyles and listened. And heard. At first it was somewhat remote, uncertain, but was clearing slowly.
Gently, with your arm above your head, the tips of the fingers of Maria started playing a little dance in the bright strings of the harp, in glittering bars of the old bed. The music was ... yes, of course, Santa Lucia. Antonio's lips moved in a gentle whisper. Santa Lucia! Santa Lucia!
music was very beautiful. End
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