Written for my monthly short story writing group. Theme: Resurrection.
“What are you doing?”
Mia walked in on Frank, on a high ladder and a surprised look on his face. Caught in another home improvement scheme.
“Sweetie, you literally can’t tell them apart from a real one”
Frank resumed installing the large foam beam. Covered in vinyl teak. Mia rubbed the wrinkles that formed between her brows. She was trying not to furrow.
“That’s not the point. What even is the point?”
Mia asked. Frank held the foam beam above his head and firmly against the ceiling, waiting for the adhesive to dry.
“It’ll look cool, the exposed beams will tie in our whole Mid-Century aesthetic”
Frank defended his decision. If his arms were free, he would show her Pinterest boards filled with high wood beams and stylish Eames chairs to convince her. It was too late now.
“It’s just not… honest”
“Honest?!”
“The whole point of exposed beams is that it shows the bones of the building. What it’s really made out of. It’s truthful, not deceptive.”
“Well, I think my idea is pretty creative! It’s cheap and only takes a few minutes to install.”
Mia glances down at the discarded packaging. Written with a similar tagline. Frank still held his stance, and the beam over his head. Covered in small beads of sweat.
“It misses the point. Having a real wood exposed beam is cool because it’s made out of real wood. A thing from nature inside your home. What plant did that even grow from?”
“It’s not like the wood would still be alive, it’s dead at that point!”
Frank yelled. Then they stood quietly. Mia with her arms by her sides, and Frank with his high above his head. He hesitantly removed his hands from the beam, unsure if it would stay up without him, and climbed down the ladder to Mia.
“I’m sorry”
Frank says. He would hold Mia if his arms weren’t still numb.
“No, I’m sorry”