Thumpthumpthump, thuuummmp – -, thuuump – -, I called and called for information, almost left my family, almost hopped on a bus to see you, how was the surgery? Ole ticker still ticking? I sent you a care package. Apple butter and homemade bread. You loved it.
Thuuummmp – – -, thuuu – – -, months of emails and details, domino crash of complications, fail after fail, you wouldn’t acknowledge a word as my brother died slowly, unconscious, then brain death. Life support silenced weeks later. You’ll never have his deep fried donuts or deviled eggs. He’ll never fix your car. You got what you wanted.
Thump thump thump, My son just went through one of the biggest surgeries he will ever have in his life. Radio silence on all channels from you. He’s fucking amazing, by the way. Always has been.
Are you as good as the rest I protect myself from? Don’t strain yourself, That was rhetorical.
You cannot sit at my table, or warm yourself at my hearth. I will not see you in the end, before, during, or after.