Grandma J. worked all morning like a spider, 8 legs supervising each pot, the table is set, all pretty in white linen and lace, this belonged to your great-grandmother she says, and i smile at her and at the thought of using what’s been used so many times before us.
Auntie C. just came back from around the world in 80 days, 1 backpack and 1 pair of hiking boots. she’s been traveling like this since her 20s; on a boat, on a ship, on a plane, on foot, she won't care as long as she can keep moving. known as the un-official witch of the family, she floats around the room with such grace. she looks through me with her super x-ray vision and knows where i was last night,,,
My dear Friend D. couldn’t make it home these holidays, but she knows how to make anywhere feel like home. she pulls out cards and dice and makes everyone sweat and think and laugh. we’ve been keeping each other company for over 5 years now, it’s been sweet as only friends can be. she rolls the dice, pulls double 6s and smiles, irish luck always on her side.
Little E. is not so little anymore. i look at her & see myself, like when i was 16 sitting on the metro with my long hair, parted precisely right in the middle, and the metro exit of La Rambla smelled of liquorice and concrete, all sweet and sticky. i see her stomping down the streets with a glossy pack of chocolates in her left hand, wired earphones with psychedelic rock blasting in her ears. i see her rage and i see her desire and i think yes, that’s what i’d like, to be 16 again.
Uncle B. went wild on the stooges and politics all lunch, and by that i mean he talked precisely three hours and a half about their 69 album. 1 beer 2 beers 3 beers, and they all kick-in and he talks super fast and won’t shut up about bass and drums and how they don’t make them like this anymore. i say we all know uncle b. it’s not the 90s anymore uncle b., and i’m all slow and bored and tired at this point, as i look around the table and laugh; this family is made out of a bunch of nostalgics.
As for me: nothing left to say really; belly is full and my head all dizzy. i look around the table and laugh; this family is made out of a bunch of nostalgics.
new yrs lunch went just as planned,,,
x
