Fahrenheit 451 (Part III)

Dover Beach Extension

     "Go home." Montag fixed his eyes upon her, quietly. "Go home and think of your first husband divorced and your second husband killed in a jet and your third husband blowing his brains out, go home and think of the dozen abortions you've had, go home and think of that and your damn Caesarean sections, too, and your children who hate your guts! Go home and think how it all happened and what did you ever do to stop it? Go home, go  home!" he yelled. "Before I knock you down and kick you out the door!"

     Mrs. Bowles felt a burning anger course throughout her body. She couldn't bear to stand near a disgusting man who wanted to inflict pain on people any longer. She rushed to leave with Mrs. Phelps by her side, and slammed the door behind them. That would be the last time she stepped foot in that house.
     5 turns, 3 stoplights, almost crashing into a vehicle packed with loud teenagers, and she was finally home. With all her husbands gone and her kids left at the parlor, there was only her and the silence she always hated. Silence meant that nothing was going on, which lead to boredom, which lead to committing illegal activity. Like Montag, she thought. She sighed and flopped onto her soft couch. Her 'family' was currently on, but this time, she didn't bother watching them. She was too upset. All the things Montag screamed at her were freshly in her mind.
       "...first husband divorced..." Well, he was a jerk.
       "...second husband killed in a jet..." That was unfortunate, but it wasn't my fault.
     "...third husband blowing his brains out..." I really wish I knew why. What was he so unhappy about? His job? Our kids? Me?
       "...your children who hate your guts..." That's just how it is, how it's always been. 
       But deep down, locked behind many doors that were chained, she knew she yearned for something different. It would be nice to have a husband who genuinely cared about her. It would be nice to have kids who adored and loved her. It'd be nice to be a real family, like the one she's spent years watching. Before she could think any further, the door bell rang. If Mrs. Bowles was left alone with her thoughts any longer, she knew she would've drowned in them.
       She took her time to open the door and what she found was Clara. Her eyes were all puffy and she held tissues in her hand.
     "Oh, Clara, hi. How are you? You doing fine now?" she said, as she gave a small smile and stepped aside.
       Mrs. Phelps smiled back and came inside. "Yes, I'm all better now. I feel so silly for crying like that. I don't even know why I was doing it. It's ridiculous. Montag's crazy, though. Reading out in the open like that! Can you believe him? He's a fireman! It's his job to protect the world from stuff like this! I despise others like him. He deserves to be locked up, which he will be. I sent in my alarm, and so should you if you haven't already. Oh! And poor Mildred - I feel so bad for her, having to live with him. Hopefully that women's got some sense and leaves him! He's bonkers!!"
       By the time she was finished babbling, she sighed, feeling drained.
       Suddenly, all of Mrs. Bowles' dangerous thoughts flew out the window. She let out a light laugh. "You're absolutely right. He's nuts. And I was just about to send it in, until you rang."
       Mrs. Phelps scoffed. "Well, why didn't you tell me? Let's go do it right now! Together! It'd give me the greatest pleasure turning him in twice!"
       She gave Mrs. Bowles a little push towards the living room, where the alarm was located. Both ladies arrived, and Mrs. Phelps was waiting impatiently. Mrs. Bowles almost hesitated but quickly pushed the button. After, they sat on her couch, and watched their 'families'.