some things are never forgotten
as a boy he learned that when theyhis family were heading out for a
Sunday drive in the countrystopping for a picnic lunch his old man would holler at him and his
brothers Time to tap a kidney, push til
you blow air, boys. I’m not stopping the car because you have to go to the
bathroom.
kinda like a hymnal preached to him and his brothers
anif they had trouble going because
they were told his father walked up
behind three of them gathered around the
commode and turned on the sink spigot just right
letting the water flow
it never failed
they peed to their little
hearts content or their bladders were
empty whichever was the matter
he
wondered what his mother told his sisters
he never asked
raising his girls it was the nearly same before a roadtrip Time to hit the
headthe bathroom girls an dont come out til
youve blown air Ill be outside the door
listening
they were funny little girls in turn as they finished on the pot they whistled and coming out into the hallway they said You heard, Daddy. We went!
Goodness such talented little girls I bet youse could make some serious money if
you went professional
his wife gave him a chuck in the ribs with
her elbow Stop. They’re
little girls.
Yes Thats why Im saying it now Theyre little Its going over their heads in one ear and out the other I guarantee therell be no side effects our girls wont be turning tricks for money
Would
you shaddup.
sometimes she didnt have a sense of
humour
yup his little girls thought they were awfully
damn funny
after a little while riding in
the car he started whistling absently not continuously
which provoked them absently theyd start whistling
and before they stopped he suddenly
swung the car to the side of the road jumped out run around the front of the car to their side door and yanked it
open Out Quick Dont wancha wettin the backseat
first couple of times they
stumbled outnot really listeninghearing what he said not knowing what to thinknot following what
he was yelling about
but they caught on
they remember that
his eldest daughter called him one
eveningchecking in just to yap shed missed a couple of his calls and emales Dad.
Hey baby How are you
I’m fine.
then they rambled about
herabout her life her husband and children her business then ramble about
him if he was taking care of himself
Youre sweet love You know Im taking care of myself Im all on me I havent a choice
Just checking, Dad, just checking.
Thank you
Yes. You're welcome, I’ve been meaning to ask.
Whats that
Piano music. Could you shed some
light on why I get sleepy when I hear piano music?
Yes I could
And?
I thought if I gave you a moment
youd recall on your own
I have a suspicion.
Its unlike you not to act on your
suspicions
Yes. Which is another reason why
I wanted to call tonight. Could you confirm my suspicion?
Im sure I can Unfortunately the buck stops with me
Yes. Unfortunately. I suspect it has something to do with me when
I was young.
Yes
Really young.
Yes
Really, really young.
Yes when you were a baby When you were a baby and I bottlefed you early
mornings I found a public radio show that played solely piano music I fed you burped you made sure you were dry
or clean then Id walk around the
livingroom you on my shoulder rub your back stroke your head You didnt last too longknocked out real
quick So for as long as I fed you early
mornings that was our time our time
together our time digging piano music
Yes. Yes, that’s what I suspec . .
.
. Suspected what you knew You remember correctly Good thing Im here on this one
to answer youMom wouldnt have known as I
wouldnt know the things you did alone with her
You remembered
Thank you for confirming my memory.
Im happy I could love But then you always make me happy
some things are never forgotten
1029, Saturday,
14 12. 19
1248, Thursday,
23 4. 20
Harry Chapin Taxi https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qYU9b5OF8M
