59

They say opposites attract but Ben and Harriet were more than that. They were more than even polar opposites; they were bipolar opposites. Furthermore, their mood swings invariably opposed each other’s. When Ben was manic, Harriet was depressed. When Harriet was manic, Ben was depressed.

They were married, so I suppose that demonstrates bipolar opposites can attract, but what happens over the long haul?

Yesterday morning, Ben woke up excitedly, jumped out of bed, and immediately started speaking quickly.

“You know what I’m gonna do today, Harriet? I’m gonna go out and build a bridge. A giant bridge across the river! No, really! I’ll get a couple of guys together and we’ll build this bridge and charge a toll and then retire! And then, when I’m retired, we can go on a canoe and circle the world, visit everywhere, and see everything!”

Harriet grunted and contemplated suicide. But she rejected that idea because she couldn’t, at that moment. stand the notion that Ben would go on living. Still, she adored him.

“Well, whaddya think? Great idea, huh?”

Harriet threw a slipper at him and pulled the covers over her head.

Ben whipped up breakfast in bed for Harriet: cinnamon waffles, fresh fruit, Viennese coffee and fresh squeezed orange juice, served (literally) on a silver platter. He baked an opera cake for dessert.

Ben kissed Harriet, wished her a lovely day, and rushed out to meet his buddies and build a bridge. Harriet said nothing and stared out the window. She noted that the sky was partly cloudy.

Hours later, Ben returned. Harriet was still staring out the window. Ben enthusiastically asked her about her day, kissed her, and told her all the exciting news about his bridge-building activities. The pylons were in place!

Harriet turned over and went to sleep. Ben joined her.

The next morning it was Harriet’s turn.

“Ben, look what I made for you this morning!” said Harriet, kissing him fervently shaking his immobile body. “It’s a crocheted cover for your pickup truck!”

Ben looked at the giant crocheted thing and wondered if the yarn was strong enough to hang himself.

“Are you gonna finish your bridge today, dear?” Harriet asked.

Ben scowled and ignored her.

Harriet continued without missing a beat. “I thought today we’d go to the arboretum, have an outdoor picnic lunch and then go to that dinner party with Joyce and Arnie.”

Ben didn’t want to go anywhere but because Harriet was a terrible driver and even in his morbid state he wanted her to live out the day, he went to all her events, driving. He hated every second,

That evening, back at home they had a nightcap and went to sleep, heavily.

The next morning they both felt strange—neither manic nor depressed. It was unfamiliar territory. They stared at each other, confused. They took their lithium.

Suddenly, Harriet giggled. Ben watched impassively for awhile and then he giggled. Soon, they were both laughing together at nothing at all. They stopped, gasped for breath and sat calmly.

Ben opened the front door. “Look, Harriet!” he said. “It’s partly sunny!”

They went outside, holding hands, and had a wonderful day.