Side by Side

"Life has taught us that love does not consist in gazing at each other, but in looking outward together in the same direction."
-Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Perhaps Spouse and I ought to paste those precious words in our bathroom, just inches above the sink.
We have been a little on the sickly side these last few days, with sniffles and sore throat. My mother just loves to advise on all things medicinal and since I can remember has been recommending gargling with warm, salty water first thing in the morning and last thing at night. I generally will not unless I am miserable. Spouse will not unless I keep nagging.
Yesterday evening we decided it was the next necessary step to our well-being. Off I went, then, to warm up the water for us.
We stood in our bathroom, facing the mirror above the sink and set forth a-gargling side by side. Henceforth I retract anything I may have uttered about the daftness of his-and-hers sinks. We in fact needed two separate bathrooms that night and had we been blessed with them the task would have been efficiently executed. Spouse took a mouthful and I did the same from my cup.
At the last moment we caught sight of one another. Spouse's salted water sprayed and hit the mirror with a grisly splash in tune to the echo of our laughter.
I composed myself, carefully avoiding Spouse's eyes which were streaming tears just then.
My mouthful hit the bathroom wall and the door jam.
We paused, steeled ourselves and tried again, with the very same effect on the walls and mirror.
I thought I could not take another drop and Spouse gave up immediately. It was too much work and in any case, Spouse declared a feeling of altogether-much-betterness.
Spouse vacated the bathroom in defeat. With the sink now all to myself I was able to finish the procedure with what little liquid was remaining in my cup.
After vigourously cleaning up I must admit that I did feel a good deal better but I imagine that Mater had something else in mind when she pushed forth her home-cure.