Saturday, July 13, 2024

Family Alarm Clock

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Father would get home from work
around five o'clock

He would sit in a club chair,
reading the New York Post
while my sisters were doing
sisterly things
and I was probably doing puzzles
in my room,
listening to the Beach Boys,
Chuck Berry or whatever
the radio had to offer

At no set time,
Mother would say 
 dinner was ready
but we knew
exactly when 
it was 6 o'clock
because the phone would ring
and Aunt Betty would tell us
about her day
or about whatever 
was on her mind

One of us would say
into the phone
"That's good"
or 
"That's funny"
and then she would talk 
some more
until dinner was done
and my sisters
[never their brother]
had to wash the dishes
 
 
"Aunt Betty"
 read the license plate
on my car
in California
 
It was paid for
by my inheritance
from her in 
Nineteen Ninety Something
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2 comments:

  1. I believe you've told this story before.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I believe you are correct but there are some stories
      that have to be told more than once especially when
      they involve someone you think about every hour

      -Oliverio

      Delete