Nor Any Drop to Drink

The shampoo is in my eyes when the shower coughs and spits and stops. I grab blindly for the towel; missing twice before my fingers find it.

Great, I think, and much stronger words pass through my mind on their way to my mouth. I wipe my eyes, head, and shoulders, still conjuring curses. The shower remains mute.

Thank goodness I shaved first!

I stumble to the kitchen with the towel wrapped around my waist. No water there either, except two bottles of Pellegrino.

I grab one of the bottles and wonder “could I make coffee with this?” I open the bottle and take a big drink. I love the mineral and bubbles in my throat.
I get a large cup and spoon in the best instant coffee I have. I add the Pellegrino and watch the strange foam form as I stir it. Then I open the microwave and…