Northport, Alabama

So I’m telling Nicholas about this book I am reading, Survivor, by Chuck Palahniuk.

And Nicholas says, “Why would you want to die? I mean, that’s no more life. No more spaghetti. No more Simpsons.”

I say nothing. I like spaghetti.

The television is on in the background and one of those commercials for Life Alert comes on. The theory is that when you are old, you can feel safe because you know that you have Life Alert. Never again will you fear ending up crumpled in a heap on the floor, waiting to die.

I say that I think that’s stupid. That if I fell on the floor and broke my hip, I swear to God I would drag myself to the telephone. I would not lie there, helpless.

And Nicholas says, “This, coming from you?”

“What?” I say. “You don’t think I would?”

“Yeah,” he says. “I know you can endure pain.”

“And you know this how?” I ask, really wanting to know.

And Nicholas says, “Because. Because I’ve been with you for 10 years.”

And I say, “So I’ve endured you and that’s how you know?”

And he says, “Yeah. That’s how I know.”

Later, he’s leaving. We’re standing at the front door.

“Don’t go,” I say.

He hugs me. Again and again.

“Thank you for this afternoon,” he says.

I say nothing.

“Got enough hugs to last you?” he asks, hands still entangled in my hair.

“Yeah. Going to play with my new Slinky now,” I say, not convinced.

“Good,” he says. And he walks out the door.

Music of the day: Higher than the Sun by Primal Scream

Posted on January 15, 2005 by Carmen K. Sisson tagged Abstract, Alabama, black and white, Northport