ESPrit de Corps

The four siblings ahead of me have moved on into the world, so Lucilla (mom), Herman (dad) and I have created our own unique dinner ritual. There is the cocktail hour and the centerpiece of our kitchen scene: the radio! There is the part where no matter WHAT is happening if SOMEWHERE MY LOVE comes on Herm and Lucilla get up and dance like no one else is there! I get to go ON AND ON about anything that is on my mind and they pay attention as though I am telling them life or death news! Mom keeps tabs on the sunset and literally reports in every few minutes on the changes. We are residents of Sunset Hill and Mom says it is our job to be mindful of this nightly event. My favorite part of this nightly ritual is the dishes. Because I NEVER DO THEM!! The deal is this: If I play the piano and Mom and I sing in our perfect harmony Dad will do every last dish. Night after night, year after year, this goes on and my repertoire of nostalgic standards only gets larger.

“Be sure it’s true when you say I LOVE you, It’s a sin to tell a lie, Millions of hearts have been broken, just because these words were spoken…I love you, yes I do, I love you!  If you break my heart…I’ll DIE.  So be sure it’s true when you say I LOVE YOU…(big finish)…it’s a SIN to tell a LIEeeeeeeeeee…..”

After the dishes my nightly loneliness sets in as my parents retreat to the TV room to watch and smoke. I cannot bear either activity.  I find this event, quite literally, the most boring thing they do.