“Understanding Occurred”

. . . What’s that? . . . oh yeah . . . get coffee . . . “Sorry, mom, took a minute but it worked.”

“What?”

“My mother told me to tie a string around my finger to remember something. It took me years to understand that.”

“You finally did though?”

“Yeah, finally, I think I was 40.”

“You are slow.”

“It wasn’t constant effort, Pet, I forgot for years until I saw someone use the trick.”

“How’s that?”

“I was on a walk, a blistering day. I stopped for a cold drink at the ice cream shop and sat under a tree daydreaming to drink it.”

“Ten years ago?”

“I watched a woman walk corner to corner, twice, then glance at her hand, reverse and enter the drugstore. A drop of water from the cup woke me from my dream and I realized she’d looked at a piece of yarn tied to her finger. Understanding occurred.”

“You sound so pretentious sometimes.”

“I write, dear, remember? When I edit I always look for shorter ways to say it. I save words that way.”

“You still sound pretentious.”

“Yes, Petra, I’ll do better. I promise.”

“Uh-oh, I’m in trouble ... Seanassey. You only use my full name when you’re pissed at me.”

“I am not pissed at you. You know all this already. Let’s get the shopping done ... don’t forget Coffey, there, my jobs done.”

“Oh, no it’s not. There’s getting it in the car then the cupboards.”

“That’s women’s work.”

“Oooh, you're in trouble.”

“Wanta walk home?”

“Hmmm ... wanta sleep in the garage?”

“Wanta car that runs?”

“Wanta ever have sex again?”

“That’s it, you got me. Let’s hurry.”

“Yes, dear.””

“That’s my line, Pet!”

“Wanna try out the new sofa-bed?”

“Yes, dear!”

“You happy now?”

“I will be when we get home.”

“And groceries get put away.”

“Yes, dear.”