THOUGHTS ON THE MOUSE IN MY BEDROOM My lodger the mouse named Roda by Vacy Vlazna ate the peanuts I set out last evening, but not the piece of lettuce. Despite the name, I resolutely think of my roommate as an it. I havent seen it since that first encounter when it had ventured out from behind the mattress propped up against the wall in my bedroom looking for food. Now that I set food out for it, the mouse is content to stay put, and that is, in my mind, part of the bargain - Ill give you food, but dont let me see you. Its not so much fear, as a visceral revulsion I feel when I visualize it, even though I know its more scared of me than I am of it, and that I hold all the power. My first glimpse of the mouse (I hope its a mouse and not a rat!) was conditioned by a Bambi-reflex because of its small size, but maybe now it is getting fat and not-so-cute with the new diet. We are both pretty much hostage to the spell of cold weather, hunkering down in the bedroom with one small electric heater. I find myself having involuntary thoughts as I open and close the door behind which the mattress stands or, as I listen to music - am I being too loud and disturbing it? Then I catch myself and laugh in wonder at such implausible thoughts. My husband has e-mailed me helpful tips he had googled on how I could humanely evacuate Roda, using a towel and a box. Had he been here, thats what he would do while I escaped the scene. But to execute any of these maneuvers, I have to move the mattress and take a look - and I cant bring myself to do that. The thought, especially, that there might be more than one piled up back there in un-Disney-like repugnance makes my skin crawl. I have considered asking for help from one of the janitors in the building or a security guard. I imagine what would happen - theyd come in and muscle my lodger out amidst a great commotion and then kill it - I dont know how. Beat it senseless, perhaps? No, I will continue to take the path of least resistance. All creatures great and small.
Posted on: Wed, 14 Jan 2015 08:19:42 +0000
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