Saturday, July 04, 2009

NURTURE/DESTROY Episode 2

“Thanks for helping me move in here at Sunny Valley, Ada. But now you stay? You must want to crucify me without an audience.”

“To save face,” Ada snapped.

Smiling, Lois rubbed her chin. “This old thing?”

“The whole family worships you.”

“Except you. Shows your good sense.”

“Then you admit it?”

“Admit what? Stop dramatizing and talk plain English, Girl!”

“I’m no child! I’m not ten years younger than you!”

Lois stared at the frayed edge of her rag rug on the new-fangled faux wood. It lacked the deep warmth of the farm’s oak floors, but it beat the linoleum at the apartment building she’d just moved out of. Absorbed, Lo only slowly comprehended Ada’s tirade.

“Murder?” Lois lifted her head to stare.

“They’re re-opening the cold case. Your parents!”

“Dead these 72 years.”

“So you did know! You told everyone they were away visiting.”

“Helping Ma’s sister…”

With a knock Gladys entered trailing little Seth. “Sorry, but it’s almost 12:30.” Gladys yanked her great-grandson aside as Ada stalked out. She grimaced at Lois. “You didn’t eat, did you?”

“Not hungry,” Lois started, but Gil’s well-rounded wife wouldn’t understand. “Saving room for Brad’s treat.”

Aunt Roberta’s straw purse with its woven puppy head dangling on his arm, tow-headed Seth toddled between Lo and her walker. It slowed progress, but Lois smiled. Seventy-two years ago, Quint was this size. Lois at fifteen had had to keep the family together!

“Easy,” Gladys crooned, extracting struggling Seth from Lo’s unheedful clutch. “Auntie Lo’s tired. Moving is hard on any woman.”

“Oh! Sorry, child. I’m fine. We’ll be late for Bradford’s extravaganza.” They hobbled on. “Don’t get old.”

“Wouldn’t think of it,” Gladys chuckled.

“We’re sure it won’t happen to us.”

“But then it does.”

“Treasonous bit of our body by bit.”


Word had spread that dessert today was a renowned chef’s specialty. White heads bobbed in anticipation. The Quacious clan clumped in the foyer watching their youngsters shyly interact with Sunny Valley residents hungrier for a child’s giggling than for any edible treat.

As Lo entered, Mrs. Fairday, the director in frilly blouse, motioned with the microphone toward the head table. But Lo sat heavily on a bench near her brothers.
“Yes, well…” Smiling with raised eyebrows, Fairday announced, “Everyone! I want to introduce our newest guest, but she insisted we first meet her family. We compromised. I’ll introduce Lois’s four younger brothers and their wives and you can guess at the myriad others!”

Low titters erupted.

“Ada and Alfred Quacious, oldest. Gil and Gladys, third brother. Quint, who has articles in Science Today. Second brother Bradford will introduce himself his own way.
“Ah, now! In honor of our newest resident, Lois Melissa Quacious, who’ll be a west winger, # 231. Welcome!”

Seven high school waitresses, white aprons over black slacks, paraded in with trays of flaky swans floating on whipped creamy filling. Arthritic hands applauded. The appreciative murmur was pierced by a child’s wail.

“My puppy! My puppy’s gone!”

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