What my Uncle says peaks my interest. I now want to be apart of this conversation. I ask him what he means and he explains that there are types of men when it specifically comes to marriage. It seems as if there are those who need multiple marriages to realize that infidelity will hurt they're relationship. He explains how he was a second marriage type of guy. He cheated on his first wife. Now that he has Margaret its different, but even if he had married her first it probably would've been the same. This is news to me, I remember when he and his first wife, Auntie Juncia, were divorcing. At least I think I remember it. I was impossibly young. I was 5 and in the apartment with them. She was ironing, and something went completely out of control, I just remember yelling. Part of me thinks I remember crying and someone hitting someone but I don't really believe that to be true, just my mind making things more interesting. I've eaten my spaghetti, I forgot how well Auntie Margaret cooked. I wonder if it had been devastating for my Juncia to hear the news that her friend was now living in the home she once inhabited, taking care of her children. They were friends, I think. There's a polaroid in my baby album with the three of them, Juncia, Margaret, and Pauline. I guess they must have been all friends, probably not anymore. That stings me a little. I remember what happened last year around the same time to me. I don't want to. It doesn't define...its so minute in the world of hurt I've had. I hate feeling sorry for myself. My aunt offers me more spaghetti. I oblige. I want the extra spaghetti, and I know what everyone is going to think. I don't care anymore. Its becoming increasingly difficult for me to care. The doorbell rings. I try to finish up whats in my plate. Who would be here at 9 in the night. Solange gets up and runs to the door. Oh, it's probably Matthew. She brings him through the apartment door and I get up and wash my plate as well as everyone else's. I can at least make myself useful for now. Matthew says hi, and Uncle Lincoln nods and goes into his bedroom. Auntie Margaret is still in front of the stove. I finish up and let everyone know I'm too tired to stick around. I shut the apartment door and open the next one leading upstairs. I pass by my grandparent's room, I say hi and goodnight. They tell me goodnight. I go into the washroom and brush my teeth. When I get into the twin bed, I put on the t.v. eventualy I fall asleep.
snippet from On the Nature of Daylight.
On the Nature of Daylight.