the priest intoned

                         . . . Maw

Quiet.

Maw

Would you be quiet please.

that wasnt a question he knew better than push it

After the ceremony.

he nodded

   following his mothers lead he threw a handful of earth on top the coffin crossed himself followed her over to his aunt hugged and kissed her  he surprised himself he was weeping his aunt embraced himkissed him on the top the head called him a sweet boy for coming to say goodbye

he was the only child at the cemetery

his Maw wouldnt have it any other way

the night before he overheard her tell his Paw Up your nose with a rubber hose.

                                                                                     she was serious

they were speaking sternly

                              He needs to know we die, he’ll die; that is life.

He’s only a boy.

The concept of death is not hard to learn. Better he learn now than later.

He’ll be the only one at church, at the cemetery.

Then he’ll be the only one.

                            It will be the last time he’ll see Ben.

   Okay sweetheart, what was it you wanted to ask?

Ohmygosh I almost forgot

You remember?

I do Thank you

                  I dont understand

What’s that.

The priest said earth to earth ashes to ashes dust to dust

Yes. In sure and certain hope of the Resurrection to eternal life; to live forever in God’s embrace.

Then why did we bury Uncle Ben if hes living forever

   That wasn’t your question, was it?

No No

        Ashes to ashes dust to dust

How does Uncle Ben I kissed him goodbye  how does he turn to ashes turn to dust if hes buried    I dont get it

 

2330,  Monday,  8  1. 24

1151,  Thursday,  11  1. 24

Share the chair

she looked at him like he was nuts

Ill sit forward on the edge you scoot back  well share

as he pulled the rollerchair away from the desk to sit she moseyedretreated to the rear a vintage last century Steelcase chair that he acquired in Minneapolis survived Miami riddenhard then through a hafdozen moves

                                                                                                       when people looked at it its worebeaten countenance they asked when he was going to replace it It looks like hell. . . . For something handsome Shes functional serves me well  Talk like tha sounds like youll ditch me when Im older  well used

   Cat got your tongue

october stayed put

                     he reached back blindlygingerly with his right grateful he found her fannyhips didnt stick a finger in her eye  she leaned in against the small of his back  the sun streaming through the window embraced them

over his left shoulder he said See  Howbout them apples

she pushed against his spine asif asking Apples?  What are apples?

he explainedwasnt like he was talking to himself

                                                 Its a colloquialism Thas funhuh how it rollsoff the tongue If you coud speak English october youd dig it Its from before our time my Maw used it frequently During the First World War Howbout them apples was a taunt against the Germans The Allies antitank grenade was called a toffee apple a caramel apple because of its bulblike appearance on a stick if you werent a cat youd also dig it

                                                                                                      More than you wanted to know I know but if someone says youll be ahead of them

october was leaning heavy against his spine purring

October

she didnt budge

                   she was asleep

Awweel he had that way with pussies

1335,  day-between-2-Ts,  10  1. 24

1046,  Thursday,  11  1. 24