Jay Goldman

‘Ma was all a-pother. Someone done run off with someone else. Honest to God I couldn’t keep it all straight. She was blatherin’ away on our weekly phone call, conversating up a storm. One of my aunts maybe. Or a cousin. Next week it’d be the same story only with different relations playin’ the parts. Always made me hungry, so I put ‘Ma down on the arm of the couch and went to fix a snack.

Life had changed a lot since I moved. Wasn’t just the big city vs. country thing. I cared ’bout different stuff now. My priorities had shifted. Stories about Aunt so-and-so doing somethin’ to Cousin this-and-that used to matter. Used to be what kept me grounded. Kept my head out of the clouds. Anytime I found myself wanderin’ off I’d just recite my family tree ― all the branches and roots ― and everythin’ become clear as day. All that’s different now.

For example, there’s George’s leg hangin’ out of the bed. I see it now the hall as me and my sandwich return to ‘Ma. Never had time for boys back home. That was cloud stuff. I was always focused on school and chores and family. Now look at me! Practically shacked up with a real, live man. Hope ‘Ma can’t hear him snorin’ away. Lord knows half the building can.

I pick up the phone and give ‘Ma an encouraging mmmm, though it’s as much for my sandwich as it is for her. She’s still potherin’ away. She’d have a lot more to pother ’bout if she knew what was really goin’ on. Luckily she never asked more than “You good?” at the merciful end of our calls.

The trick was eatin’ without makin’ sounds. Had to be a stealth sandwich, so that ruled out anythin’ crunchy. Good girls are up at the crack of dawn and have already done their chores by the time their ‘Mas call. Not barely crawled out of a naked jumble of boyfriend. ‘Ma could tell a lot from the crunch of bacon.

Pother : (POTH-uhr) noun: 1. A commotion or fuss. 2. Mental turmoil. 3. A smothering cloud of dust or smoke. verb tr.: To confuse or worry someone. verb intr.: To worry or fuss.

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