it was a dinner party upscale
he was invited
he called the hostess to decline
she encouragedimplored him
No, please come, the guest
selection was mine, and I can’t say I remember a time that I didn’t find your
insights unique or unexpected. I daresay, not to flatter you, likely you’ll be the
linchpinthe keystone to the gathering.
You are ofcourse flattering me
I am, aren’t I? Please, Joe, think it over a bit longer. Today
was the earliest someone might receive an invite, the party isn’t for another
three weeks . . pleease.
her please was more than pleasing
he could listen to her say pleease
for hours
he conceded to consider furthur
several days later he called and accepted
Mimi was thrilled
I’ve
had my fingers crossed since we spoke.
I hope I didnt hinder your sex
life
air came out of her like air escaping a looselyheld toy balloon a
uncoordinated child trying to tie it off for the first time
Uncross your fingers, Mimi Jacketno tie okay
she cleared her throat That gaff will make you stand out, but you’ll standout
nonetheless; alright.
I appreciate the concession, thank
you. I promise I’ll eat with utensils.
he met her at a friends it was a gameboard night she was recently engaged
they were partnered
saying good nighttelling her how
much he enjoyed her company he unabashedly let slip it was unfortunate he met
her that eveningnot earlier
she smiledblushed
I love your dimples
she blushed deeper laughed she didnt cover her mouth
That did it he said Im smitten
Have a fine evening.
he saw her fourfive more times as
game night visited other players homes before he met her fiancé
ofcourse he didnt like him
though he could
tolerate him
he wasnt invited to the wedding
frankly it didnt cross his mind
her husband was above game night a successful businessman he traveled
continuously sometimes she traveled with
him
they
maintained a loose friendship despite him galling her husband his name was Daniel he preferred
Daniel
he called him Danny
A rose by
any other name would smell as sweet correct
Mimi laughed
Daniel tolerated him begrudgingly
because of his wifes affection
they wouldnt be buddies
they were fine with that
but Danny had a bug up his asshad
to compete with him
despite nothing was to be won except inside Dannys head
after dinner gathered outdoors for scotch and cigarsthe
other women had cognac or brandynixed the cigars however Naomi enjoyed scotch and cigars which botherednot irritated bothered
Danny it had been fun before they
marriednow not so
much it also bothered
Danny that he called his wife Mimi
A term of endearment Danny Much like
Danny
Danny didnt like endearment
So Danny has there a time in your life that handsdown
if you could repeat again you would
That’s hard to say, Joseph, why would
you ask?
Actually Id ask all A thought experiment
Ten years ago this
evening does anyone remember where they werewhat they were doingwho they were
with if anyone I don
a buzz went out
they were louder than
the crickets cigars drawn on brighter
than the fireflies
concensus around the
gathering tickled by waters of an ornate
bluelighted fountain near the sumptuous lounge chairs and side tables was that no
one knew what had happened ten years prior
Thats what I suspected
Therefore Danny Mimi everyone if
there was a tenyear brook we cherished and wouldnt be adverse to relivingweve
already proven we wouldnt remember would
anyone be willing to relive it
The Sixties were phenomenal for
me happy fulfilled family Id return in a heartbeat
Danny said Well, but we can’t;
and I couldn’t say that those ten years aren’t ahead of me.
Yare fiftythreefiftyfour Youve obviously enjoyed success
Success feeds success, Joseph.
Until it doesnt, Danny
air came
out of the collection
An sometimes in the blink of an eye
In defence of thought machinations
if this evening were New Years Eve December Thirtyfirst Nineteensixtynine an
I woke unceremoniously unremembered on January First Nineteensixty I would be happy That said happiness is the spectacular currency of my life
1550, Day-between-Two-Ts, 4 8.
21
1550, Monday -- Nagasaki, 1945, 9 8.
21
