67

 

       LORRAINE

 

    I like that!  Elvira cleaning up like I couldn't be trusted to do it.  And the way her house looks most of the time.  Well, just let her do it.  See where it gets her.  I cut the cake and take a piece for him from the corner; he likes the corners.  God knows why.

    Nobody else makes a move to help clear the table.  They'll leave that to me. They have their own things to do.  Jim is still eating, him and Art leaning over the table and talking low.  Every once in a while they laugh.  As if I didn't know what it was they were laughing at!  I replace the Saran Wrap and carry the cake over to him.

    There.  He looks at me like he's trying to place me.  There's your cake.  You want something to drink with that?

    What's Art laughing about?

    He comes up with the stupidest questions.  Why, I don't know.  Don't be silly.  How should I know?

    I thought you'd know, he says, like I should know.

    Yeah, I start to say, but he is on to something else now.  What are they doing?  He's staring at Susan and them putting up that old badminton set.  She's making a fool of herself.  Just listen to her!  They're going to play a game, I tell him.  But he isn't listening again; his mind is off who knows where.  One of these days it's going to get stuck back in World War One, and I'll have to start putting diapers on him.  Mark my words!

    Smell that?

    What?

    That smoke.

    I inhale but the only thing I can smell is that terrible grill Art insists on putting out every time we have a get together.  If he knew how to cook on it it wouldn't be so bad.  Art is letting the charcoal burn down, I tell him.  He said maybe somebody would want a marshmallow later.

    Not that!  Wood smoke!

    No, I don't smell anything.  Here, you want this cake or don't you?

    He glares at me.  I asked for it, didn't I?

    Well then eat it!

    I'm getting cold.

    Cold!  It's nice and warm here.  You want me to move you out into the sun?

    Tell Doug I want to go in.

    In the house?  Why would you want to do that?  If you feel a chill, I'll get you a sweater.  How's that?  I'll just run in and get you a sweater.  There's one right inside the door.  How's that?

    Tell Doug I want to go inside, he snaps.

    His eyes are all watery, and his color isn't good.  His tone is different, one I haven't heard for a long time.  If you insist, I say and do what he said.  Some habits are hard to break.

    Your grandfather wants to go in.  He says he's cold.

    It's okay with me.  Tell him it's okay with me.  We weren't counting on him for the game anyway.

    He wants you to take him in.  I don't think he's feeling very well.  He doesn't look good to me.  He almost says something smart, but instead he looks at him and nods.  Okay, I'll carry him in in a minute.  I'll wait till he finishes his cake.

    Okay, don't forget.

    I won't forget.

    I have to clean up.  I'm busy, and I'm not going to remind you.

    I said I won't forget.

    Okay, just so's you don't.

    You want some help?  Susan asks.  I can do this later if you want me to help you clear the table.

    No, no, I laugh.  I wouldn't want to disturb you.  Anyway, why would I need help with a little thing like that?  I do it all by myself every day of the year; why should today be any different?

    She just looks at me, and for the first time I think I see anger there.  I don't know, she says slowly,  I just thought it might be.