Marge's Sacred Contradictions

It was early in the morning. I had never been so nervous, or so excited. It was happening. In a few moments, I would wake up Mr. Burns, and he would take me away from this boring shit hole of a town for good. I felt giddy with anticipation.

The house seemed to stretch on for miles as I walked down the long hallway from my room to his bedroom. I fumbled around in my pocket for the key, trying to remember which one it was, but the excitement had caused me to forget. My mind was racing, filled with thoughts of adventure and excitement and love.

That's it! The heart-shaped key!

I unlocked the door slowly, carefully opening it ever so slightly until there was just enough space for me to slip inside. Mr. Burns lay sleeping peacefully on his enormous four-poster bed. He looked like a god amongst men as he lay naked beneath his sheets, his hair mussed and his glorious muscles laying bare against his skin. I looked at him in awe, wondering how I could have ever thought myself worthy enough to be with a man like him.

"Mr..." I said softly, "Mr...."

"Marge?" he asked quietly, "Is that you?"

"Yes."

There was a pause as we both sat in silence. Was he going to say anything else? Should I leave? What did he want from me?

"I'm sorry," he finally said, "You shouldn't be here."

But... You called out my name! Were you pretending? Did you really want me here? Is this all just another one of your tricks!?

"No," I lied, "I shouldn't be here."

"Go home, Marge." His voice was now firm and strong - no longer concerned or curious, but forceful and cold. Something had changed within him since we last met; something dark and frightening had taken residence in him during our separation. But why could that be? Why would that happen when *I* had only grown more and more beautiful with age? Was it... Was it because of Maggie?

No... It couldn't be! How could such a young girl have stolen his heart? She wasn't even born yet! It must have been a mistake... Or some kind of trickery! Yes! That must be it! He didn't want her heart; he wanted mine! And after all these years... After all these lonely years... He finally realized what he truly wanted - what he *needed*. Me! His wife! The only woman who has ever truly loved him! The only woman who can rescue him from his loneliness! The only woman who can give him what he desires most: eternal happiness!

"Mr!" I whispered urgently into the darkness, "It's not too late!"

There didn't seem to be an answer as my eyes searched desperately for any sign of life in the deep recesses of the room's shadows. Fear began to well up within me as I watched my husband roll over onto his side and pull the blankets ever tighter around himself until all that could be seen was his wild mane of golden hair glowing dimly in the moonlight. Despair took hold of me as my hands shook violently at my side; tears spilled freely down my face as they had done many times before during our time apart - always alone... Always alone... Always alone... Always alone... Always alone... Always alone... Always alone... Always alone... Always aloooooooneeeeeeeeeeeeeeee...