Clog

“Hey! The sink is clogged!”

I sigh, resigned to my position as ‘Hey!’

I peer into the sink, partially filled with fetid water.

The water level holds steady.

It is certainly clogged.

I pour in the Drano, grab a beer, and re-check the sink.

Still clogged.

I curse, and peer into my own personal swamp.

The sink radiates a scent of intense putrefaction.

I told her not to put any damn bones in the disposal.

I return with a bucket and wrench.

I fumble unskilled with the pipe until it finally pops off,

mostly filling the bucket with the vomitous solution, but partially spraying me.

I retch and gag as I set the bucket aside.

The smell has gotten worse.

I look into the removed pipe, and see through to the other side.

The clog is somewhere else.

I stare at the pipe that descends into the sewers below.

I curse, again, knowing that the clog is likely deep in the pipe,

knowing that I will likely have to finally buy a drain snake.

I grab a flashlight, and perch over the pipe.

I sniff, cough violently-- nearly vomit.

The source of the smell, and subsequently the clog, has been found.

I click on the light, and stare down the pipe.

An eye stares back.

Bulbous with purple veins, piercingly white.

Its pupils angular like a goat’s.

The lids leak putrid black pus.

It blinks.

The clog sinks deeper into the pipe, out of the light, back into the depths.

I scream.

She runs in, spouting concerned questions.

I sit on the floor.
I finish my beer.

“I fixed the sink.”