The next days went by quietly and relaxed. I kept Frank drugged, so he was calm as a little baby. It could get really boring, but for now I felt happy. Frank wouldn't be able to run away from me, and yet he was satisfied with the way things were. I went to see my parents and told them Frank was sick.

“But can you leave him alone? Can he manage all by him self?” My mother asked. She'd always been fond of Frank.
“Of course, mam. He's not lethally ill, he's just got a headache. He's been working so hard these days.”
Is everything okay between the two of you? You haven't been around much lately, and we heart that you split up for a while. But you didn't want to tell me over the phone, and I couldn't ask Frank of course. I didn't want to bother him too much.” My mother looked at me as if she didn't trust my answer and looked for more information in my eyes.
“Sure, all is fine. A relationship like ours can't be broken over some fight. We needed a little room, but now we're doing great again. We know what we got and where we stand.”

And that was true. Maybe Frank didn't understand that very well right now, but who cared? I sure didn't. And the Valium didn't change him very much. He was more quiet and a little tired, and he didn't seem to be interested in much, but on the other hand, he was still himself. He even made jokes now and then, and wanted to cuddle with me. But after a couple of days, his uninterested and plant-like behaviour started to annoy me. I couldn't get him excited about anything!

“Want to go for a walk? Want to go shopping? Shall we go visit the Geological Museum?” To all of this he shook his head and told me how tired he was. Especially the Museum, that was his all-time favorite! Maybe I didn't have the dosage right, but this was totally crazy.
“Come on, Frank, what are you? Eighty years old?” I shouted. He looked at me with his droopy old eyes.
“No, maybe I've got the flu, but I don't feel like doing anything.” He was lying on the couch, his feet in his boring grey socks hanging over the side and his hair in disarray.
“Get over it, man. I want to go out, now.” I even stamped my foot on the floor, but he just yawned and went back to his paper. I felt my breath go faster and faster, and all I wanted to do was dive on him and wrap my fingers around his neck. But I couldn't do that. No, he was drugged now, and this way it wouldn't be any fun. My fingers curled up into tight fists, and my nails dug their way into my flesh.
“Breath in, breath out, calm down.” I whispered to myself. “He can't help it.”
“Can you sit down, Mandy? You make me tired just by standing there.” My heart skipped a beat, and I almost let my fist shoot out against his head, but instead, I reached out and let my shivering fingers ruffle through his hair.
“You read on, my love. But I'll go out and run for a while.” I never liked jogging, but now I needed the excercise. Quickly I put on my shoes and went out for a long run. I let my legs and arms and chest work out like I never did before.

That evening, I didn't put any Valium in Franks meal, and I didn't sleep well. I kept looking at him, wondering if he would suddenly sit up and realise where he was. But nothing happened. He slept all night and I didn't.