Eleanor hugged her sister next, saving her husband for last. She had not told him everything that happened today. Harold knew that Eleanor was OK, but he didn't know all the changes she had gone through.
Alexandria had called him earlier today to get him ready for tonight,
"Harold. Harold, this is Alexandria-"
"I know who you are," Harold hated being called at work, unless it was his wife with something interesting to say, the way she used to in the earlier days of their relationship; pretending to be a potential client, she would request to speak to "Mr. Harold Davis please." And when he would get on the phone she would say the silliest, sexist things and end then the conversation with a "I got to go, bye love." Leaving him thinking of her all day. Her timing was impeccable and even when it wasn't, he didn't care because she never took up too much time, she often left him wanting more and she made him remember that his life was more than that job. But this was Alexandria and he was irritated, at everything really. And most of all, irritated at what he no longer had, his wife's attention.
"We are having a surprise for your wife."
"When is it, Alexandria?"
"Will you be there Harold?"
"Well, when is it?"
"Harold, please do me this favor and say that you will be here for the party, because you know that it won't mean anything to Eleanor without you there."
"Sure, but when did you start calling her Eleanor and when is the party?"
"Today. And the party is tonight. I will call you later with an exact place and time?"
"Well call me on my next break at 3:45. What are we celebrating?"
"Her birthday! OK, got to go, lots to do!" Harold didn't even bother to ask, as Alexandria hung up the phone. His wife's birthday was six months a way, but Alexandria was known for eccentrics and Harold didn't feel like he had the time to wade through her stuff today. Alexandria didn't mention the funeral because she knew Harold would not come, they had a good 'in-laws relationship', but he didn't respond well to all of Alexandria's ideas, and she knew how far she could go with him. With one exception, she has never pushed the envelope (but that's another story).
Harold didn't care to much for tonight's event much; and was about to dismiss it as another one of those things that you forget forever as soon as you get home. He found it silly
until he saw his wife
hobbling across the lawn,
eyes fixed on him
as if he had something she wanted,
needed
and wouldn't stop until she got it.
(c) Jamillah Warner, www.gospelnerve.com, I got the nerve to say . . .
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