he didnt come by the forest
preserves too often anymore
when he was younger his family
held picnics there polacks as far and
wide as the eye could see and he was
related to every one
as a teenager at one such picnic
his mother found him Come, I have to
introduce you to someone. she took him
by the arm and walking over to a pavilion where men were playing accordions
people were dancing she talked about a distant cousin she used to write as a
girl and when she had emigrated to America they lost track of one another Oh look, there’s Maria’s daughter; come. when he looked where his mother was
looking the girl had turned her back and was facing the pavilion the
festivities as they approached her his
mother called Stefanie! Stefanie! Stefanie turned I was looking for
your mother. I’d like you to meet my son, Joseph. Joseph, this is your cousin
Stefanie.
Ah he saidhe nodded to Stefanie her colour rose Weve meet Mom though nice to formally meet
you Stefanie he took her hand warmly and
shook it
Oh hello Joseph; nice to meet you.
informally they had met down by
the dam part of a looseknot of teenagers gathered to get high
they got stoned together
immediately liked one another
slipped away from the clutch
had sex by the river on the blanket
Stefanie wore over her shoulders because she wasnt keen of the blouse she was
wearing her mother insisted she wear it
the blouse was a little square
what was inside the blouse wasnt
one thing had lead to another
it was hard to say who laid who
they hit so many postureswere on top as often they were down
Thats an unique blouse Stefanie though it doesnt quite compliment you
Heck youd look good wrapped in a blanket
She would, wouldn’t she. his mother said Stefanie, you’re such a beautiful girl;
someday you’ll make someone very happy.
Some day he said
You’re
killing me Stefanie whispered
Ya
nearly killed me
colourful blankets old worn
chenilles picnic baskets pinning them were scattered across on the luxurious
grass hard to beat Illinois grass made one dream of being a grazing animal a happy lost ruminator
he crossed a horse path through
some high weeds then to the woods edge near the river upstream from the
beach
he hadnt finished half his beer his eyes were closed the dark inside them grew darker
it remained
it wasnt a cloud
he opened one eye lazily
Hello to you; you’ve quite the
spot. a womans voice
Thank you
It’s my spot.
Welcome . . to my spot
A tribute?
Tenacious D?
Uhhuh
I don’t know what that is.
I am
Did you fall asleep?
No hypnagogic
Hypnagogic. Hypnagogic . . what’s
that?
Nothing important, I was mumbling.
Earlier you said –ster or
something like that when you sat
Maybe . . mister?
Joe Im Joe
Joe, I’m Ginny.
Short for Gennieve not Virginia
Yes, you're right.
Someone younger than you’s a
youngster she sighed I’m no youngster.
Could have fooled me yare very beautiful
Ginny
Yes?
I was upset.
Yare no longer upset
I’m not, no I’m not, Joe.
In a bit thank you
she used the attached corded churchkey
uncapped her beer took a deep draw
Part of a worthwhile tribute
No. colour rose in her face Not monster.
Yare killin me
I called you a cunt, a cuntster.
Cuntster havent heard that beforesuppose we cant Google
that
No.
You were a cunt, I use cuntster,
I’m adverse to saying cunt.
I understand butah no more
No. You’ll like this . . you’re a
good egg.
You look like I like you.
Ive only just begun
