THE ELEVENTH PLAGUE - PART I

[This was submitted as an entry in a short-story contest in January 2003 and is based on a true story. There is some embellishment with respect to dialogue and the names have been changed to protect the innocent.]

Can you imagine entering a room with hundreds of tiny creatures roaming the floors, crawling on the ceilings and down the walls, on the counters, in the closets, or in the pantry? Everywhere you turn a light to dark brown insect, 1/16 of an inch, a profile unevenly rounded, with a spineless thorax and a 12-segmented antenna driving you absolutely insane. If God had added these monstrosities to the mix, Pharoah undoubtedly would have let the Israelites go. What would have been the eleventh plague? The Iridomyrmex humilis, or in layman’s terms--the Argentine ant, Southern California’s friendly invader.

After living nine years in the hot, humid climate of Austin, Texas, the Griffins made the long trek to beautiful Southern California; however, the relocation was not trouble free. The movers were a day late to pick up the appliances and various household items but promised to deliver on time. The Griffins arrived at their $500,000 home surrounded by palm trees and breathtaking landscaped magnificence.

“Finally. Thought we’d never make it,” Peter said as he opened the door of the 2000 champagne, four-door, Nissan Sentra.

“The trip was long but well worth it, wouldn’t you say,” Hannah beamed as she entered the white, double door entranceway of their three-bedroom residence. “Look at the skylights and vaulted ceilings. It’s bright and cheery. So different from our place in Austin.”

“Okay, you made your point,” Peter smirked.

Living in a 2,265 square foot home without furniture and appliances was miserable thanks to the two-week delay of the Allman Brothers Moving Company. Sleeping on the floor, daily trips to the store, and eating take-out food were for the adventurous, not the Griffins, a couple in their late 70s who lived a humdrum life. Peter was a man of average height who weighed the same as in high school but now shuffled along at a snail’s pace; and Hannah, her disproportionate body shrinking several inches over the years, but cleaning and doing yard work through all the aches and pains. They both retired from a research and development laboratory in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and had two children, a boy and a girl, who were unsuccessful in the business world. Yes, the Griffins were a typical white, middle-class family.

“Maybe things can get back to normal once we get settled in,” Peter groaned. “Sure am getting tired of sleeping on the floor. Maybe it will be smooth sailing from now on.”

“One can only hope,” Hannah added.

It took three weeks to organize the house, and Hannah did all the work. Peter used to be quite helpful in the yard and around the house but the last few years diminished his desire to do anything but sit around and watch television and read outdated twenty-five cent novels.

“Peter, I need your help hanging these pictures. Get up and give me a hand.” Hannah was tired and frustrated by the lack of support from her husband of 53 years. It’s amazing their marriage lasted so long.

“Okay,” Peter sighed. “I’m coming.”

The silverware, dishes, and pots and pans were neatly arranged in paper-lined cabinets and drawers. Furniture arranged and rearranged to suit Hannah’s fastidious characteristic. Everything in its place. Hanging pictures a ridiculous labor of perfection.

“Whew. At last.” Hannah smiled. “Now we can enjoy the California weather and walk along the North County beaches.”

Weekly trips to the ocean and lunch with Peter’s sister, Ruth, who lived just three miles from their house; filling the church pew three times a week and daily doses of Rush and Fox News--that was life for the Griffins. A contented life but mundane nonetheless.

Although the house was surrounded by a colorful botanical scenery, the vegetation and palm trees became a popular habitation for ants. These insects were in the trees and on the sidewalk especially around the lifeless black worms that had crawled out of the freshly watered lawn. At least they’re not in the house, Hannah mused.

TO BE CONTINUED