The first time you lose one, it is a surprise. Then you get used to it, and develop a routine as far as reanimation goes. Flat-line, get out the defibrillator, et cetera.
Monthly Archives: October 2003
Lucky
“But Gretchen, I am your father!”
The screen door slammed behind her and she walked into the night and the fog in her mother’s coat. Far enough away to watch the house without being seen, she stood in the woods until she saw her dad come out, look around, then open the hood of the car and start messing with something. Nothing complicated, maybe just fixing a bulb in the light her mom had complained was burned out.
So, so soft
As I was telling you earlier, about when I was working on the tunnel crew one summer while I was in college, tunnel workers are hard drinkers. A professional tunneler, I don’t know when he sleeps. Digging and drinking is what they live for.
Visitation
Someone knocked at the door. My wife peeked out through the curtains.
“It’s the agnostics,” she said.
“How can you tell?” I asked.
“The nondescript way they’re dressed, midway between suit and polo shirt. And their car parked out front…”
“Which one?”