The Beautiful Red Monkey on My Back

The signs are subtle. Brownish discoloration of my finger-tips and nail beds. Tiny blood colored stains on my clothes. Trips to numerous suppliers looking for the right price before finally admitting I'll pay anything.

It's a good thing pomegranate season is so short.

One of the pomegranate's greatest appeals for me is that I can't do anything else while I'm eating one. They do not welcome multi-tasking.

"Mom, the toilet won't flush!"

"Mom, can I have a snack?"

"Mom, the dogs are chewing through the doorframe again!"

And me, juice dripping down my wrists: "After I finish this pomegranate!"