Something popped up |
There is a long dining room table. It is sunday afternoon. We have attended a Latin Catholic Mass. It's time to eat and talk. My sisters are very chatty. They don't like the 8:00pm curfew. Dad will not compromise. Mom wants them to date less and study more and get into a good college. Kayley has been skipping school to hang out with a boy Dad hates. Mom is worried about my dress up. Maura thinks I look cute. Dad is very angry about this "thing" I do. I explain it's only fun and my grades are great. Dad asks me to eat more meat. The pendulum clock "gongs" 4:00pm. My sisters want to go visit their friends. Dad insists they stay. Mom cleans the table. We drink and have chips and cheese with cellery. Dad wants to know what I will do when I grow up. I want to be a teacher. I like educating. Dad is skeptical. He has been a teacher for many years. He doesn't think I can work that hard. He thinks I'm a lazy jerk. Mom snaps, "Don't break his confidence! He's very bright." She squeezes my face with both hands; "Stop putting on your sisters cloths." I try to knod: yes. Kayley yawns, "We like to dress him up." Dad bellows, "For God sake he's a nine year old boy!" Mom raises her hands over her head and glares at everyone. She smashes pots and pans in the kitchen. Maura "I want to be a bank manager. I'm hoping to get a job at the bank." Dad thinks that's great. Mom comes in and congradulates Maura. Kayley wants to get marry to the boy dad hates.... The mood is dark again. I whisper to mom "I want blueberry pie." She tells me I can have a slice and hands me a slice of pie from the side cart. I ask for cream on top. She gives me one scoop. Dad wants to know if I have any friends. Yes, Michael down the road and his friends. He wants to know if I have a girl friend. Yes, Marcella and her younger sister Bernadette. He smiles.. . I want to talk about @Star Trek. No one is interested. Dad thinks it's "liberals in space." Kayley has put her head on the table and is trying to sleep. Dad tells her to sit up. Maura has left the table without permission. The family meeting has ended. =+= |