jml297

It was a slow metamorphosis, and it was only when Larry’s posture became more horizontal than vertical that Petra realised this was not just a passing phase.

At first, she’d been supportive of his obsession with all things lizard-related. Petra was more of a plant person, and her flat was a tropical oasis with dark green foliage and occasional blazes of bright blooms. The first time she’d brought Larry home, he’d walked around her living space, his fingers tangling among the vines creeping along a windowsill, his tongue darting along his lips.

‘It’s like you’ve created an outside world inside,’ he said, kicking off his shoes and socks. Petra had been a little surprised, but was glad that he liked the space. Some people were less receptive to the sanctuary she’d created.

But Larry loved the flat, and surprised Petra by gifting her several large rocks for their first Christmas together. She had watched, fascinated, as Larry positioned them with care. He spent hours watching the sunlight make its way across the room, adjusting the position of the rocks in considered increments.

During the day, Larry preferred to stay at home, and more than once Petra came back to find him lying in a shaft of sunlight, limbs thrown across the flat rocks, his body shimmering in the sunlight. Of an evening, he seemed energised. Petra put it down to his daytime siestas.

It took her longer to realise that the reason the usual assortment of bugs, midges, and flies that accompanied her lush plant collection were less prevalent was due to Larry. Petra had watched, fascinated and horrified, as Larry had stood in front of a peace lily as a fly buzzed about. His stillness was complete until, with a sudden grab, he caught the fly with his left hand, then ate it. Petra opened her mouth to protest, but saw Larry’s tongue flicker across his lips. With a smile, he caught her eye.

‘It’s the least I can do,’ he said.

Petra wondered at the smile, and the way his tongue darted back and forth. But Larry had already moved on, another bug in his line of sight. His body stilled, the only perceptible movement was the slow blinking of his focused eyes.

This was written to a prompt at my writing group. We all had fun writing to this one!

Photo: Blotched blue-tongue lizard (tilqua nigrolutea) spotted in Blackheath, NSW