But it knows the end is drawing near. There's that resistance to the end. Maybe its quiet acceptance turns to rage? Whatever the impetus, a series of strained beeping starts when 1 LCD bar draws closer to no LCD bars.
Every time I stop by to get a glass of water I see it starting angrily back at me beeping change me. I want to, I've taken to cleaning and I'm beginning to get things organized these past few months. Everyone I know who's a success seems to have the trait of keeping a clean and organized environment and I've been good in my emulating it. My floors constantly smell like Mr. Clean, my table shines with Murphy's Oil, my bed is neatly made and my windows—fuck windows, I don't do windows.
But there it is, beeping away. Even when I'm not looking at it its there, telling me there's something wrong -- there's something that needs my attention. It's there and I can hear its pain as it cries out in the dark from the countertops. Change me.
I toss and turn in bed, trying to get my mind on anything else but its of no use. I think about how all four indicator bars seem vigorous and sanguine but in reality my filter is bereft of life. I wonder if it blames me at all. If it could go to Brita therapy, would the whole session be about me? I'd pick it up after the therapist session, happy to pay, playing whatever Brita likes on the radio. "So, how'd session go?" Silence. But I continue to try and reach out.
It is because of this, dearest friend, I write you about the horrific deed I committed next. While on the phone with a friend the other day, I went to my filter. I glided over to the counter and I acted like nothing was amiss—but something was wrong. I came up to the filter casually, but friend, I had no glass. I wasn't thirsty. I used my trust to get in close, then without warning, I pressed the "recharge" button, I looked away, and I held it down, down, down. The LCD bars grew and grew. As if life was pouring into Brita, the bars increased.
I don't know how long it was: days, hours, minutes? It felt like an eternity. And when it was done, I just walked away.
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The button I held is the one you press if there is a new filter and you want the LCD bars to show a full, healthy meter for a full, healthy filter. It allows the bars on the indicator to climb to the top until its full of life once again. Anyone who came into my home would see the bars full and they'd be none the wiser. They'd drink the water and think huh, the indicator says its full. This guy is on top of his stuff. But it isn't full. Its a fucking lie.
