Post by goldenmyst on Feb 22, 2021 18:02:39 GMT -6
A Rice Paper Tigress Named Gloria - Epilogue
Gloria says, “Boy, I am headed to Swarthmore with a banjo on my knee. Do you know what that means Mr. Boswell?”
“Well unless I drop out of substitute teaching and head north to the great state of Pennsylvania we may never cross paths again.”
“That is right. And the tears this brings me are the bluest of the blue. Please tell me the odds are in our favor of meeting in a restaurant here in Baton Rouge during one of my family trips home.”
“The odds are a million to one. But what are the chances of kindred spirits like us meeting in the first place? That goes to show you never trust the odds.”
“Oh you crazy coot, would it be appropriate for us to hug?”
“Consensual hugs are legal in all fifty states.”
“Quit the silly act and embrace me.”
I hold her for a second that feels like the moment after creation. But when my arms drop she doesn’t let go and it feels like the wheels turning while burning rubber with a 1956 Cadillac.
She says, “Sorry, I needed some extra memory mileage from our hug.”
“There is nothing to apologize for. We are two passengers in the same car both in need of a road trip to remember.”
“Do you think an encore embrace would be appropriate?”
“I always stayed for the encore at concerts.”
“Would you please talk plainly to me?”
“Your answer is yes. But you’ll thank me for turning down your Taco Bell request when you are older.”
Gloria asks, “What does Taco Bell have to do with our goodbye hug?”
“No more than animals and minerals.”
“I’ll teach you how to shush like you taught me that rules have reasons.”
“When your professor gives you sensible lessons remember my gibberish and count yourself lucky to be in college.”
“I’ll remember you when I read E.E. Cummings.”
“I’ll take that as a reality bite.”
Gloria replies, “Just promise me not to let reality bite you.”
Gloria says, “Boy, I am headed to Swarthmore with a banjo on my knee. Do you know what that means Mr. Boswell?”
“Well unless I drop out of substitute teaching and head north to the great state of Pennsylvania we may never cross paths again.”
“That is right. And the tears this brings me are the bluest of the blue. Please tell me the odds are in our favor of meeting in a restaurant here in Baton Rouge during one of my family trips home.”
“The odds are a million to one. But what are the chances of kindred spirits like us meeting in the first place? That goes to show you never trust the odds.”
“Oh you crazy coot, would it be appropriate for us to hug?”
“Consensual hugs are legal in all fifty states.”
“Quit the silly act and embrace me.”
I hold her for a second that feels like the moment after creation. But when my arms drop she doesn’t let go and it feels like the wheels turning while burning rubber with a 1956 Cadillac.
She says, “Sorry, I needed some extra memory mileage from our hug.”
“There is nothing to apologize for. We are two passengers in the same car both in need of a road trip to remember.”
“Do you think an encore embrace would be appropriate?”
“I always stayed for the encore at concerts.”
“Would you please talk plainly to me?”
“Your answer is yes. But you’ll thank me for turning down your Taco Bell request when you are older.”
Gloria asks, “What does Taco Bell have to do with our goodbye hug?”
“No more than animals and minerals.”
“I’ll teach you how to shush like you taught me that rules have reasons.”
“When your professor gives you sensible lessons remember my gibberish and count yourself lucky to be in college.”
“I’ll remember you when I read E.E. Cummings.”
“I’ll take that as a reality bite.”
Gloria replies, “Just promise me not to let reality bite you.”
