Greif's Weight

I heard a knock at my door and walked slowly to the sound.

I peered through the peephole.

He knew my every move before I made it. His piercing blue eyes were already looking back at me.

He was in a long black coat that grazed the ground as he walked. His pants and shirt were also black. His tie was blood red. His boots were thick leather. They looked heavy as he walked.

The sun blistered down on this June day, but he didn’t care.

I opened the door slowly. I was very aware of him and knew him. I had even met him on a few occasions, but he had always been a guest of others and not my own.

He walked past me into my home. He looked around like he was evaluating the space.

I slowly closed the door and turned around to watch him. I didn’t even want to move any further now that he was here.

He walked to my fridge and opened it slowly like he expected something to jump out. He picked up my groceries one by one and threw them away.

He walked to my wine and looked at the year it was. He picked up my wine glasses and poured himself a drink.

He made his way to my bed and laid down with a hand on his head and a wine glass in the other.

“Didn’t expect me so soon did you?” He said and then took an obnoxiously loud drink from the glass.

I sighed and walked into my own room. “I didn’t,” I said as I looked him into his eyes

I’m going to stay awhile He said

I can’t stay here with you all the time I said quickly

Then I will have to go with you

You can’t go with me everywhere.

He rolled his eyes. “Child have you learned nothing. I am going to go with you everywhere, but the place my feet can touch the floor our here.”

“So...I’ll have to carry you?” I ask.

“You got it!” He exclaimed

I didn’t know how I was going to carry him, but apparently, that’s how this was going to work

“Well, can you get on my back I have to leave for work?” I ask.

He put his glass of wine down and pushed himself off the couch.

He walked behind me and put his arms around my neck and I could feel myself lose my breath for a moment

He heard my struggle “We can always stay here” He whispered

“Noo...noo Just get on my back”, I say sternly.

He hops on, I struggle to find my balance at first, but then I can feel his weight but I can stand.

His body feels overwhelmingly hot and I can feel his sweat dripping onto me.

“Let’s go” I grab my keys

“I’m surprised you could carry me,” He says with a grump.

“Me too,” I say

The longer I am here the less heavy I will become - grief whispers and I started to feel a little less weight from my back and the grasp around my neck loosened.