Poof for Illustration Friday

Merlin in hiding

Poof, he is gone!

Now you see him. Now you don’t. Poof!!!

The word for this week’s Illustration Friday is “Poof.”

These are two sections of a painting I did of my two cats, Merlin and Lady. It is from a picture I took of them when they were playing with a piece of newsprint sketch paper.

THE RETURN – FINIS -

Meanwhile, Jane was planning a sweet sixteen party for herself. With Mom’s approval of course. She was popular being a Gemini, and had lots of friends both male and female. Even her teachers liked her and they were nuns for crying out loud.

There had been a business in the remodeled cellar underneath the house but the shoemaker had decided to move out, so the space was now empty. And it would make a perfect place to hold the party. There was wood floors, good for dancing and Jane thought she could borrow a record player to play all the neat forty five records a few of her girl friends donated, including Tommy Dorsey and Harry James.

Jane had enough money to buy the food for the party herself too, including cokes and balloons and even crepe paper to decorate. Mom of course would make a cake.

So all was in readiness with about twenty teens invited and expected to show. Jenny had to work that night but thought she would be able to get off early and get home before the party was over. She was really looking forward to it.

Jenny helped Jane decorate the basement room, hanging the crepepaper streamers and blowing up the balloons and setting up a few chairs. Then she went off to work.

She got off early as planned and as she neared the house, the sound of boogie woogie penetrated the night air. Tommy Dorsey was in rare form with his rendition of “String of Pearls.” She loved Dorsey and his music and was anticipating a few dances before the party was over.

She went in and the party was still crowded at 11p.m. She had a ground bologna with mayo and pickle relish sandwich (the usual party fare) and a coke. Then Ed one of Jane’s friends, came over and asked her to dance. She really got into the swing which included doing a jitterbug. Ed was a good dancer but most of the guys Jane hung out with were good dancers.

The party continued for a few more hours and Mom shouted down that it was time to wrap it up before the neighbors started complaining.

The party broke up around one am. After everyone left, Jenny and Jane cleaned up the remains. They knew they were going to be tired and sleep late the next day. Went Jenny went upstairs into the kitchen, she didn’t see mom or dad around and assumed they were in bed. Although how they could sleep through the music and noise was beyond her. She went upstairs to bed and slept soundly until about 10 a.m. the next day.

When Jenny came downstairs the next morning, she fixed herself a cup of coffee that mom had percolating on the coal stove. Mom was busying herself around the kitchen and asked her if wanted some scrambled eggs.

“I would love some,” she said.

“Well sit and relax I am sure you are still tired after working and then the party last night. Did you enjoy yourself?”

“I sure did,” Jenny replied. “But where is dad? I didn’t see him last night and he doesn’t seem to be around anywhere today?”

“Well, all I can tell you is he is gone,” her mother said.

“Gone? Where?”

“Who knows? Probably back to his mother,” mom said sarcastically.

“You father did not want Jane having the party and he told me that if she had the party he was leaving. So I told him he could leave then. I told Jane she could have the party and he had nothing to say about it.”

“So he left?”

Jenny couldn’t believe what she was hearing. He left? Without saying a word to her? She was just beginning to know him again and even maybe liking him. Which was not an easy feat after all the time he had been away. And he left?

“Is he ever coming back,” she asked.

“I certainly hope not. That man can go straight to hell if he thinks I am going to take orders from him. Who does he think he is? Coming back and thinking he is going to start throwing his weight around, giving me orders, wanting steak every night and only the best brand of coffee.” she shouted.

“But he wasn’t here that long,” Jenny said in a small voice. Not wanting to irritate her Mother any further.

“He was here too long if you ask me,” Mom ranted.

“He never was any good anyway. Why are you so concerned? You didn’t want him here to begin with anyway.”

“I know, I know but he seemed to be getting along with us except Jane of course,” she said.

“Well you know how men are. If you don’t, it is not my fault, Lord knows.”

Jenny well knew Mom never had a good word to say about Dad and certainly with good reason. He left and never sent any money or even contacted the family to see how they were doing in a long time. But why did she take him back then? Jenny knew she could not ask Mom that question unless she wanted to get back handed.

Jenny fought the tear that was trying to escape as she turned and ran out of the house.

-Finis-

THE RETURN (continued)

Jenny finally decided she may as well come downsairs and see to whom the voices belonged. She slowly came down the stairs and when she walked into the living room,  standing in front of her was this man in a soldier’s uniform. There was also another man talking to Mom. She recognized him as Uncle Mike. It dawned on her that the man in uniform was her father. The uniform smiled and bent down to kiss her cheek. She had not seen him in a long while but he did look familiar with his reddish blond hair and square jaw.  His beard scratched her face and she did not like it.

Her Mother said, “This is your father. Aren’t you going to say hello?”

The emotions welling up in her were about to explode and she gave way to the most compelling one. Anger. She wiped away the kiss with a haughty gesture, hoping to pay him back for some of the pain he had caused her.

He noticed the gesture but kept smiling. Mom pretended not to notice as Jenny ran back up the steps. She sat on her bed and brooded as the festivities continued downstairs. Mom had prepared lunch for the guests and the laughter coming from the kitchen made her angrier. She wondered what was going on and what made him come back? Was it just for a visit or God forbid to stay. Mom seemed pretty happy for some reason and that made Jenny even angrier if that were even possible. All Mom had done was call him names and run him down over the years, so they all hated him with a passion. And here she was smiling and serving him lunch.  Jenny didn’t want him back.  And if he came back he better not try to tell her what to do ever!

Later that evening after Dad and Uncle Mike had left, Mom announced that Dad would be coming back to live with them now that he was out of the Army.  He and Mom would take one of the bedrooms and the girls would have to double up in the other room.  Well, that does it, Jenny thought, I certainly don’t want him here with all of us kids sleeping in the same room, no privacy, a man telling us what to do. Why is she doing this?

Jenny slept fitfully that night and when awakening felt no better. She went downstairs, fixed a cup of coffee and proceeded to ask her Mom why?  She managed to sneak another cigarette out of Mom’s purse for later.  When she asked Mom why he was coming back, she just smiled and said things would be just fine. “He has changed,” she said. “And besides, he has a job and will be bringing in money which we certainly can use.”

This did not pacify Jenny. She and Jane went to their bedroom and began to grumble to each other.  Jenny smoked her stolen cigarette as they continued to find reasons why Dad should not come back.  They were both working now and thought they could get along nicely without him.  They had for all these years so why now should he come back and ruin it?  But they went about their daily routines and hoped for the best.

A week later Dad moved in. He and Mom took the room Jenny and Jane had shared.  It was strained at first but he tried to win Jenny over. He seemed to realize it was useless to try with Jane. She was sixteen and working full time and came and went as she pleased.  She let it be known that she planned to continue on the same way no matter who lived with them.

After a few weeks the routine changed drastically. Mom cooked big meals for dinner and she had to have the best steak and the best brand of coffee for him.  He started his job and was gone in the afternoons and evenings.  He worked the night shift at the small defense plant in town.

On weekends he would have some of his buddies over and they would play cards and drink beer. A lot of joke telling and war related stories went on till the wee hours. He let Jenny sit in with him and the boys and even let her sip some beer which she was getting to like.  And the stories were pretty interesting.  About the time he was in Italy and he and his buddies would drink wine and have a fine time with the Italians. He was in his forties and he said the old guys didn’t have to go to the front, so they carried up the rear and got to enjoy themselves quite a bit. He certainly seemed to enjoy his time in the Army.

Jenny found herself beginning to like him in spite of herself.  He was quite the story teller. Whether the stories were true or not she wasn’t sure. The younger girls were intrigued by him.  Jane however was having none of it.  She had her own friends and her own life. Nobody was going to tell her what time to come home or who she could go out with. She and Dad clashed frequently. And angry words were exchanged on several occasions.

On one such occasion, Jane who was on the late shift at one of the local mills, came home and was standing outside the house laughing and talking with her friends.  It was about ten pm.  Dad, who had not gone to work that day,  was not happy and sent Jenny out to tell her to come in the house.  Jenny went out and told Jane what he said.  Jane became angry and said, “Tell him I don’t have to listen to anything he says and I will do what I want.”  With that she and her friends left and started walking away.  She did not come home until after midnight.  And of course Dad was furious but he did not confront her.
As the weeks went by things did not go smoothly with Mom either. She complained about having to cook big meals every night. She didn’t like all the beer drinking or the war stories. His buddies seemed to get on her nerves as well.  She didn’t see her girlfriends as often.  Dad seemed happy enough though.  He would go off with his lunch pail singing.  He did like to sing.  He seemed unaware of the tension that was building.

THE RETURN

When Jenny came home from school that day, the family was all excited about something. Mom, who was usually in an old house dress, was in her Sunday best. She had on one of her two good dresses. This one had big pink roses splashed on a field of black. It was Jenny’s favorite. Her mother was a good looking woman and since dad had left, she had been dating frequently.

“Jenny, go upstairs and make the beds, we are having company.” her mother’s voice was shrill.
“What’s all the commotion?” Jenny asked. Getting a little concerned.
“It is a surprise, will you please do what I asked?”
“Ok, but I don’t know what all the mystery is about.”

Jenny ran upstairs and started making beds. Her two younger sisters were in the small bathroom giggling. She hoped maybe they could shed a little light on the situation but when she asked them, they just ignored her and kept giggling. What can you expect from kids, she thought. Jenny was all of fourteen and as second oldest in the family was very much in control of things. She was blond and blue eyed and rather scrawny yet the boys were beginning to notice her. Her Mother encouraged her in her independence, because she needed Jenny to help at home while she was working. Since Dad left them high and dry when Jenny was seven, she needed every penny she could get to raise her four girls.

Jenny finished making the beds and as she entered her own room, the smell of Summer drifted in through the window. The lace curtains fluttered lazily on the warm breeze. She flopped on the bed and lit a cigarette that she had swiped from her Mother’s purse earlier. Her mind drifted. She evisioned herself a dancer. She and Gene Kelly swayed back and forth to the music and as they swung out and came together, they were lost in each other’s gaze.

Jenny daydreamed more and more lately. It was a way to close out the real world. Ever since Dad had deserted them, there never was enough money but now things were beginning to get better with her and her older sister, Jane working and bringing home some money. Dad had refused even to send home any money from his Army allotment so the decision was taken out of his hands and the Army sent money to us anyway.

Her father was drafted even though he was over forty because he was a deserter of his family and the Army needed all the men they could get. The second world war was in full progress and that’s all that they heard about on the radio. The war! Rationing, black outs, not enough sugar. The last thing is what concerned Jenny the most. She did like to hear President Roosevelt on the radion though. He had a great voice.

Whenever Mom spoke of dad her voice was bitter and Jenny learned to despise his memory even though she didn’t remember him all that much. Mom managed to fill in the blanks with, “We wouldn’t be in this shack with hardly enought to eat if he were any good.” She called him “Mr. Rat” most of the time.

Jenny often wondered if her father would come back and how she would feel if it ever happened. She knew however, with her mom’s attitude, there was slim chance of that happening. As she stubbed out the cigarette, a train whistle blew in the distance and she wondered what it would be like to be on that train. She always dreamed of going to New York and becoming an artist or a dancer.
“Are you finished yet?” Her mother’s voice broke her reverie.
“I’m all done.” She yelled back.

Mom worked hard trying to support the family. She did housework for several people. She was usually tired when she came home and so she put Jenny in charge of watching the kids and cleaning the house in her absence. Jenny liked being in charge. She could boss her younger sisters around whenever she felt like it. They rebelled of course and there was many an argument. Sue was eleven and Mary nine. They clashed loudly with Jenny over who was “in charge.”
“We’re going to tell mom,” was the usual refrain when Jenny pushed too hard.

The house they rented was a two bedroom over a shoemaker shop, Jenny and her older sister, Jane shared one bedroom and the two younger girls shared the other. Mom slept on the couch downstairs. She said she had to keep an eye on the coal stoves so they wouldn’t go out and we would freeze in the Winter. Of course we had to have the stoves going in the Summer to do our cooking. Which made for a very warm house in the Summer.

Jane was sixteen and as the oldest had to quit high school to work and help support the family. As a result of her bringing money in, she became very independent. She assumed no duties at home and paid little or no attention her mother. The younger girls didn’t really remember their father or if they did, it was just a fuzzy outline. Their lives consisted of going to school and playng with their friends.

Jenny had a part time job at a soda fountain not far from home. Her mother knew the owners and helped her get the job for the Summer. She loved the job because she could meet a lot of guys, some of whom were in the service and looked great in their uniforms. She also ate a lot of ice cream sundaes, cokes, burgers and made money besides. She made enough money to buy her clothes for school and even give some to her mother. So between working at home and her part time job, Jenny was kept quite busy.

Jenny’s reverie was interrupted again when she heard her mom’s voice coming from the bottom of the stairs.
“Come on down girls, there’s someone here to see you,” she said.

The younger girls ran down the stairs giggling to see who it was but for some reason Jenny hung back. She had a strange feeling come over her. She really didn’t want to come down and see who it was. She heard a couple of men’s voices that she didn’t recognize. So she stayed in her room until her Mom finally came up and insisted that she come down and meet the visitors.
To be continued.

THE LAUNDROMAT CONT. (part 4)

It was a few weeks after the wedding and Gloria and Paul were established in their new apartment. John had not heard from Gloria about the dinner she had invited him to which was going to include Alice. He was actually looking forward to it. His life was pretty boring especially since he didn’t work anymore and his friends were all still married and moving in different circles.

One day when he was fixing a spartan lunch of cottage cheese and fruit with a cup of tea, the phone rang. He didn’t get many phone calls and he got a little excited thinking it was Gloria.

“This is John,” he said.
“Hi John, this is Alice.”
“Oh hi Alice, how are you?”
“I am fine. I was just wondering when we were going to lunch? Remember?”
“Why uh yes…..did we set a definite time?”
“Well no but I thought time is getting away from us so maybe we better set a time and day. What do you think?”
“Why that would be great,” he said. “Do you have a place in mind?”
“I thought Geno’s would be nice. I love Italian food. How about you?”
“Yes I like it too,” he said.

So after getting the directions to Geno’s, John hung up and did a little dance around the room. He was excited.

Wednesday came around fast and he was on his way to Geno’s to meet Alice. John had dressed in his good slacks and a bright yellow tennis shirt. He did look pretty spiffy if he did say so. He even started humming a tune as he neared the restaurant. It was only a lunch date but Alice was an attractive woman and she seemed to like him.

Geno’s proved to be an ideal meeting place for Alice and John’s first date. It was informal with red and white checkered table cloths and a bottle of wine on each table. John saw Alice at one of the tables waiting and rushed over thinking he was late.

“No, you are not late,” she said.
“I guess you must be early then, he gushed.
“I had a few other errands to run so I ended up here early. No problem tho,” she said

John ordered the best red wine they had to impress Alice. Then they both had spagetti and both thought the sauce was delicious. They also decided to get salads and garlic bread.

They chatted about mundane things since they really didn’t know each other that well. The evening was pleasant and when they arrived at Alice’s house, she invited John in for coffee.

The decor was elegant and her love of art was apparent in the many seascapes and still life paintings adorning the walls. As they sipped coffee to which Alice added a little brandy, the conversation turned to Gloria’s father. John had wondered about him and Alice seemed anxious for him to know that she was divorced and not on very friendly terms with her ex-husband.

“How long have you been divorced? he asked?
“It’s been about five years now,” she stated.
“Has it been very difficult for you?”
“Well for the first few years it was extremely difficult. Chuck was not an easy man to live with and he made it as hard on me when we separated as he could. He refused to pay any alimony or split the proceeds of the house after it was sold. I had to take him to court to get anything out of him,” she said. She seemed to be recalling the scenes from the past.

“You seem to be doing very well now,” John said.
“Yes I am but it took a few years to get a job and find my own place and all,” she said
I was in therapy for a long time.”

John was getting a little uncomfortable with the conversation and tried to change the subject.
“An attractive woman like you must have many men friends,” he said
“Not as many as you may think.”
“Really, no one in particular then?”
“No,” she said sadly. “Besides, I am getting older now and a woman’s chances of finding someone dimishes with age.”
“You are not that old.” John said
“I am fifty five now,” Gloria stated.
“You certainly don’t look you age Alice. I never would have guessed.”
“Thanks John, you are too nice.”

John was thinking that Alice was more his age than Gloria was and he was liking her more and more as he got to know her. When he was leaving he asked if he could see her again. Maybe a movie or dinner again?

Alice quickly agreed and gave him an impulsive kiss. John was a little startled but not so much that he didn’t respond. He kissed her back lingeringly. After a long goodby, he finally left with plans to get together soon.

On the drive home John’s thoughts were filled with Alice and how soon he would see her again. He decided to drive around for awhile untill his head cleared from the brandy and the heady kisses. He looked down at the speedometer for a second. When he looked up again there were headlights in his eyes and a car was coming directly at him. The crash was very loud and John was thrown clear and as he lay on the pavement bleeding, he knew he was never going to be able to keep that date with Alice.
- Finis -

For Laundromat Part 1 please check here.

For Laundromat Part 2 please check here.

For Laundromat Part 3 please check here.

THE LAUNDROMAT CONT. (part 3)

Gloria and Paul decided to get married right away and John found himself wishing he hadn’t agreed to attend the wedding. He had met Paul and liked him well enough but considered him an interloper. And didn’t think he would be comfortable at the wedding.

John knew it was silly to feel this way but couldn’t seem to help it. He very rarely saw Gloria anymore except occasionally at the Laundromat, and then she usually rushed off after her laundry was done not wanting to go for coffee as they usually did.

So when the wedding day came along, it was with misgivings that John got dressed in his Sunday finest and made his way to the church. After arriving early, he was pacing nervously in the vestibule when a pretty blond woman came up to him and asked if he belonged to the groom or the bride’s party.

He replied that he was Gloria’s friend John. The woman identified herself as Gloria’s mother and he was a little taken aback. The woman was young or so she seemed and very good looking.

“My name is Alice,” she said. John was struck by her resemblance to Gloria.
“John, Gloria has told me so much about you,” she said.
“Really?” He was surprised.
“Yes. She said you have been a good friend and a great handyman,” she bubbled.
“Well it is nice to be appreciated. I was glad to help her out. She is a great girl.”
“Well I hope she will be happy. They haven’t known each other for very long.” She seemed a little concerned.
John found himself trying to comfort her and assure her that knowing each other a long time didn’t mean that it would be a happy marriage.

John found himself wondering where Gloria’s father was, but he was too polite to ask. Gloria never talked about her family. Then as other relatives and friends started arriving, Alice was swept away in a maze of chiffon and chatter.

As the ceremony began, John felt a lump in his throat as he watched Gloria. She was radiant. The lilac lace dress she wore clung tenderly to her slim figure. He noticed tears in Alice’s eyes and could hardly hold them back himself.

The wedding ceremony seemed to move along at a fast pace and John found himself at the reception surrounded by the friends and family of Gloria and Paul.

Alice appeared out of nowhere and handed him a glass of red wine.
“Here,” she said. This will do you good. You look like you lost your best friend.”
“Oh sorry,” he mumbled.
“Oh, don’t be sorry. It happens to the best of us. The unrequited love thing I mean. You wear your heart on your sleeve you know.”
“I am sorry,” John couldn’t seem to get his thoughts in order and was beginning to feel like a fool.

Alice sensing that he was pretty uncomfortable and probably didn’t know anyone at the reception, took him in charge and started to introduce him around and then led him to the food table. After making sure that he eating, drinking, talking to one of her brothers and starting to enjoy himself, Alice mingled with the other guests.

When it came time for Gloria and Paul to leave, Gloria came up to John and gave him a hug and a peck on the cheek.
“Thanks for coming John. Hopefully, we can have you over for dinner after we return from our honeymoon. And maybe also have my Mom over too. You two seemed to hit it off I noticed.

John wondered how Gloria noticed him at all with all the activity swirling around her and Paul. But the more he thought about it the more he liked the idea of going to dinner especially if Alice was going to be there.

So after Gloria and Paul left, he boldly marched over and asked Alice to dance.

(To be continued.) Stay tuned.

For Laundromat Part 1 please check here.

For Laundromat Part 2 please check here.

THE LAUNDROMAT CONT. (part 2)

THEY TALKED FOR A LONG TIME. JOHN ABOUT HIS WIFE AND THEIR HOPES AND DREAMS. GLORIA LISTENED ATTENTIVELY AND SYMPATHETICALLY. WHEN HE WAS LEAVING GLORIA GAVE HIM A PECK ON THE CHEEK. JOHN REACHED HOME FEELING VERY GOOD INDEED. MEETING GLORIA HAD BRIGHTENED HIS LIFE AND HE HOPED THEY WOULD BE FRIENDS. OR MORE. SHE WAS YOUNG, IN HER MID THIRTIES HE GUESSED BUT HEY, WHO SAID AN OLDER MAN AND A YOUNG WOMAN COULDN’T BE FRIENDS OR EVEN LOVERS?

JOHN WAS AN EARLY RISER AND USUALLY WALKED TWO MILES FIRST THING IN THE MORNING, THEN BRAKFASTED AT MARTHA’S BREAKFAST HOUSE.

UPON ARRIVING THERE THIS MORNING HE WAS SURPRISED TO SEE GLORIA IN A BOOTH AND WAVED. SHE CALLED HIM OVER AND ASKED HIM TO JOIN HER.

“WHAT LOOKS GOOD?” HE ASKED. JOHN WAS RAVENOUS AFTER HIS WALK.
“WELL, I’M HAVING HOT CAKES.” GLORIA SAID.

THE WAITRESS POURED COFFEE FOR THEM AND ASKED IF JOHN WAS READY TO ORDER.
“I’LL HAVE HAM AND EGGS, SCRAMBLED WITH HASH BROWNED POTATOES AND TOAST WHITE.” JOHN BOOMED.
“YOU SHOULD HAVE MORE THAN HOT CAKES GLORIA, YOUR STILL A GROWING GIRL.”
GLORIA GIGGLED LIKE A YOUNG GIRL AND SAID, “I’M REALLY NOT THAT HUNGRY BUT I NOTICE YOU HAVE A HEARTY APPETITE.”

HE LIKED HER LAUGH. IT MADE HIM FEEL WARM AND COZY. HE WAS ENJOYING HAVING SOMEONE TO EAT BREAKFAST WITH AFTER MONTHS OF BEING ALONE.

AS THE WEEKS WENT BY JOHN HELPED GLORIA FIX LEAKY FAUCETS, SQUEAKY DOORS AND OTHER ODDS AND ENDS. THEY MET FOR BREAKFAST FREQUENTLY. HE LOOKED FORWARD TO THEIR TIMES TOGETHER.

ON ONE OF THEIR BREAKFAST MEETINGS GLORIA SEEMED MORE ANIMATED THAN USUAL. SHE SAID “JOHN I HAVE THE BEST NEWS, WAIT TILL YOU HEAR.”
“OUT WITH IT WOMAN, YOU LOOK LIKE YOU ARE GOING TO BURST IF YOU DON’T TELL ME SOON.”
“WELL, I DIDN’T TELL YOU BUT I MET SOMEONE A FEW MONTHS AGO, HIS NAME IS PAUL. WE’VE BEEN DATING PRETTY REGULARLY AND HE ASKED ME TO MARRY HIM LAST NIGHT.”

JOHN PUT HIS COFFEE DOWN SLOWLY.
“WHY THAT’S WONDERFUL GLORIA. FROM THE LOOK ON YOUR FACE, I’D SAY THAT YOU SAID YES.”
“I CERTAINLY DID. HE IS A WONDERFUL GUY JOHN. I AM SURE YOU WILL LIKE HIM. I WANT YOU TWO TO MEET.”
I’D LIKE THAT TOO.” JOHN TRIED TO SOUND ENTHUSIASTIC.

JOHN’S APPETITE HAD STRANGELY DIMINISHED AND AFTER GLORIA LEFT, HE SAT THERE SIPPING HIS COFFEE GAZING INTO SPACE FOR QUITE A WHILE.

(To be continued.)

For Laundromat Part 1 please check here.

The Laundromat

The dryers were humming busily when John walked into the laundromat. It was easy to see that he wasn’t accustomed to using a laundromat. He would come in, load the clothes, then look around as if in doing so something would be made clear to him. Most of the people there could care less whether he knew how to operate the machines, but after a few trips he became proficient in the operation and considered himself a regular.

It was on one of these trips, as he was gaining confidence in himself, that John had a strange thing happen. He always liked children and there were certainly enough of them running around. A little blond girl about three years old came up to him and smiled and started a conversation.

“Hi, I’m Sandy.” she said.
“Hello Sandy, my name is John. What do you do for a living?”
Sandy just giggled and proceeded to tell him her age, her mother’s name and anything else he wanted to know.

John was beginning to enjoy himself when a blond woman rushed up and grabbed Sandy, gave him a dirty look and wisked the child away. Her admonishment to the child could be heard throughout the laundromat: “I told you not to talk to strangers, especially old men.”

John was startled and a little sad. After that he wasn’t as friendly to children, unless of course he knew their parents.

John was a tall man in his early sixties. His hair was mostly gray, but he had a thick and lustrous head of it. He had green eyes that sparkled when he was happy which wasn’t very often now that Janet was gone. He had a slim build, belying his hearty appetite. But that had diminished lately. Since Janet died several months ago he was in a transition period and he never was a very good cook. So mostly he ate TV dinners or an occasional dinner out by himself. But that was no fun.

He and Janet planned to vacation in the mountains this year. Renting a cabin and fishing was his idea of heaven. But Janet’s illness had come on suddenly and her death six months ago was a blow from which he was still trying to recover. Now his life was drastically different.

He sold the house and moved into a small one bedroom apartment with a lot of other old people. Most of them were very nosy and the old ladies were constantly bringing him hot dishes they had prepared. But he was not in a mood to be social so he usually cut short the visits and the women got insulted and now they didn’t bother him.

He thought of himself as a strong man but lately he began to doubt that strength. He had not planned to be alone and it was strange to him. The apartment though small, loomed before him like some unknown expanse. The days seemed endless. And cleaning was a chore.

One day at the laundromat, as he was loading his clothes, a young woman was struggling with a large basket of clothes and as she tried to put it on one of the washers, it fell. The girl looked rather embarrassed as she bent to retrieve the clothes.

John went to her aid and after they were all picked up and deposited in the washer, she sat down with him. He offered her a cigarette and after accepting she thanked him profusely for his help.

“I’m new in the area,” she said.
“Is that so?” John was never much of a conversationalist and couldn’t think of what to say next. She was so young and pretty, he was wondering why she even bothered talking to him.
“Can you tell me which market has the lowest prices? I am new in town and kind of down on my luck right now.”
“Joes Market on Main Street had the best buys in town and good quality. I can show you where it is,” he said.
“Oh thanks, that’s very kind of you, but I wouldn’t want to put you out,” she replied.
“No problem,” he said.
“By the way what is your name? Mine is John.”
“Hi John, I am Gloria, pleased to meet you.”
“Likewise, Gloria is a pretty name. It suits you.”
“Why thanks,” she blushed.
After they finished their laundry and since Gloria had no car, John drove her to Joe’s market. He helped her to her apartment with the groceries.

“Come in and have a drink or a cup of coffee, it is the least I can do to thank you. Unless of course you wife is waiting for you.”
“No, I am a widower and I’d love a drink.”

Putting her groceries away, Gloria opened a bottle of wine and settled down on the couch next to John. By the time they had finished two glasses each, dusk had descended. Gloria didn’t make a move to put any of the lamps on. John was feeling warm and mellow. He hadn’t felt this good in a long time.

A Day In The Life.

She sat at the window watching the evening invade the avenue. Her head was leaned against the window curtains and in her nostrils was the odor of dusty lace. She was tired.

Few people passed. The man out of the last house passed on his way home; she heard his footsteps clacking along the concrete pavement and afterwards crunching on the cinder path before the new red houses.

Her thoughts went back to happier times. She remembered as a girl, she would help her mother set the table for Sunday breakfast. She could smell the coffee perking on the coal stove, as bacon sizzled in the pan and hot buttered scones were piled high on a plate.

The large family was always famished and noisy as they sat down to eat. There was always laughter and storytelling and then off to Sunday mass.

But that was a long time ago and things had changed; she never saw the family now. Her Sundays were filled with nostaglia. No one came to visit her; they were too busy with their own lives.

As the darkness entered the room, she did not move to turn on the light. It was as if she needed it for comfort.