Her sister has come and gone and California is in chaos. The winds were gale-like last night and they woke up to ants. The husband is now propped in front of the dishwasher analyzing their trail. It’s serious business. The baby, on the other hand, is blissful. She is cooing in the bassinet, dreaming about the long blonde auntie who smelled so pretty and whose arm was a perfect fit.
If they were in Canada, they would be sitting down to turkey and pumpkin chiffon pie. There won’t be any pie in Riverside today. And even if there was, it wouldn’t be the same. It’s not like she gets her sister-fill. It’s more like once you remember, you can’t get enough, and you wonder why living far away ever seemed fun.
For two and a half days they probed their usual subjects, before moving on to lighter matters. Like the short story about the woman hiding in the closet with all the coats…yeah, they both liked that one. And cooking eggplant…don’t skimp on the salt…what do people have against salt anyway? And the perfect eye cream. What’s reasonable? Fifty! They’re in agreement. They usually are.
They like talking and learning and being the bearers of information.
“Use a bowl when you’re cooking to collect all the scraps…”
“The racial significance of ‘Grills’…”
“Did you know what John McCain called his wife…”
“So when did you know you wanted a baby?”
“Grandpa leaned over and said, ‘Today I walked to the airport.’”
She remembers the pumpkin spread they found on their expedition to Trader Joe’s. “We are so fucking lucky,” Chevron had said all of a sudden. But that’s how they talk. They don’t mince words. They’re pretty into language.
She grabs the pumpkin spread from the fridge. She will make a piece of toast and be grateful from her Riverside futon. Alone…but kind of full.
“To my sister!” she says and takes a big bite.
2 Comments
Nat again – I love this piece, not just because it’s about me
but because it’s a really good piece of writing! I’m crying as I read it because a) good memories and b) you didn’t tell with your words, you totally SHOWED our time together with the very specific words you chose – we are pretty into language!!
I love you and I’m super proud of you.
Gotta go get myself together before pie…wish you were here.
xoxoxo
Mom thinks this is good writing too.
We miss you all at Thanksgiving!. . . nevertheless, we have much to be grateful for. We’re glad you’re getting important work done!
Love you three.
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