It is

very nice,

isn’t it?

he was almost stricken

                       he watched the letters appearprinted one by one on a queer fog mask on the glass over the painting  it captured his attention  like warm breath exhaled on a cold pane  their daughters had painted it for their mother

the handwriting was unmistakably hers   

when she finished he whispered  Yes  very nice they did a good job

it was a watercolour

                      at the lower left they painted their lips their favourite colour and kissed the paper beside the kisses they wrote I love you very much, Mom an printed their pet names Angel Shorty

she had him hang it over her dresser so she could see it first thing every morning after rising

                                                                                                  he didnt recognise his voice

he heard the girls run up the hall to use the bathroom 

before they could close the door he yelled after them

                                                     Finish quick girls then get dressed were going out for breakfast

he needed fresh air

he dressed quickly brushed his hair

he heard them come back down the hall

                                         Quick girls nothing fancy Jeans an a top

he stepped to the threshold of their bedroom and through the open door watched them dressleaving their drawers open  they saw him We’re hurrying, Dad, this is really nice, such a nice surprise. they would take the girls for surprise breakfasts

he hadnt since she died

they rushed into the hallway and crashed into his thighs   Good morning, Dad!   he hugged them against his legshis hands widespread at their backs   Good morning my loves   This is so wonderful.   Unexpected is the best kind   Like Mom would say.   Yes like Mom would say

they began down the flight of steps to the landing

                                                   Angel noticed first It snowing, Dad. looking out the window at the landing he didnt see snow Shorty followed It is, it’s snowing inside.

it wasnt snow

Isnt that something Lets keep walking girls Careful on the steps

                                                                   It’s snowing inside, Daddy!   Careful on the steps girls

a soft talcum of ash

0333,  Day-between-Two-Ts,  1  12. 21

prefer 112 or 1312,  Day-between-Two-Ts,  1  12. 21