The Uninvited

doing our best. The hot water goes milkyand forms a gelatinous scum. Carbonara.He likes carbonara. I find a packet ofbacon. I tear it open with a blunt knife andget my hands covered in grease, whichbrings me to the edge of panic becausethere are certain textures I find it hard toendure. I throw it in a pan then separatethe yolks and whites of two eggs over thesink. I make what my mother would call ‘ahash’ of it. When I finish the sauce I mix itwith the spaghetti and put a plateful on thetable and point to it. I provide a bowl anda fork and knife and spoon and a glass ofmilk. I might vomit.He reaches for the salt and pours it onin a steady stream. Ssshhhhhhew. I don’tstop him. I feel an inner vertigo.Child One dreamed of a sparkling white