InsaneJournal

A stack of records tall enough to reach from Rhode’s elbow to her wrist accompanied the phonograph in Tiki’s room. The machine was slightly worn from usage, gathering dust when he was not in the house and gaining an aspect of antiquity that almost suited the atmosphere of the room. Tiki would leave it sitting out for months, uncovered and waiting for things to get in its cracks, cursing the mess when he returned and cleaning it out with a perfectionist’s eye before setting one of his precious records on it to play.

Sometimes, if she could jimmy the door open, Rhode would slip in while he was gone and clean it so she could listen to his music.

The holidays always brought out the soothing sounds of his native country, something like Spanish floating into the air with the soft crackling of the phonograph joining the smooth instruments behind it. There was one record that Tiki would only play for Rhode to help her sleep, the crooning of a woman’s voice that danced across the wallpaper like faeries on the flourishes. He’d fallen in love with her, once upon a time. She’d been as beautiful as the sunset, with eyes grey as the sea and coral-colored lips. Taken him to heaven and hell and everywhere in between within a single week, and then she’d disappeared forever once he stepped on the train to the next mining town.

Rhode would smile at the admiration in Tiki’s voice as he spoke about her, eyes closed and one arm resting beside her head on the pillow.

Tiki would pet her hair to help her get to sleep, pulling the softly copper comforter up to her chin and kissing her gently on the cheek when she fought to stay awake. No woman could compare to his girl, though. She was the most beautiful thing in the entire world, he said. Rhode yawned widely, sneezing with a squeak of surprise. Who’s your girl, she asked, sniffling and rubbing her eyes with the back of one hand. Tiki held a handkerchief over her nose with a tsk of disapproval at the sniffles, commanding her to blow with a tone that left no room for argument. Once she’d obeyed and he had tossed the dirtied kerchief on the floor, he settled in beside her once more, patting her on the head affectionately. My girl is almost everywhere, but I do know one thing. Rhode started a bit, obviously trying to stay awake to listen. Tiki made a soft sound of amusement, gently tapping her on the tip of her nose with one finger.

I know she’ll always be waiting for me when I come home.