There are things I need my keys for, the Dead Father said. Things I need to open and close. Lock and unlock. Shut and unshut. Start and stop.
So we have, said Julie.
A ten-pound bag of flour. The unbleached.
Could be answered possibly in terms of the kind of life one has imagined for oneself. Or in terms of what one is actually doing.
Without my keys I cant open anything.
We need cigarettes, chili powder, silver polish, mayonnaise, Lysol, croutons, and chutney.
Mother reined her horse about and rode away.
Ten-pound bag of the unbleached, she said.
Ugh!said Julie.
The Dead Father gave Thomas his keys.
Scouring powder, hand soap, lighter fluid, Fig Newtons, tennis balls. Is that it?
We need scouring powder, hand soap, lighter fluid, Fig Newtons, and tennis balls.
That is the case, said Julie.
I hope I havent spooked you.
What of yourselves? Your two lives?
Yes, Mother said.
Mother produced a pencil and an envelope.
I will keep them safe for you.
My keys?
The horse halted. Mother sittingon the horse.
I will keep them safefor you.
With scant regard for your own comfort. Your own projects. Of which you doubtless have a great many. You have labored on and on and on and on. For me.
Thomas shook his head.
Her name was Mother, Thomas said, let me have your keys, please.
Very well, Mother said.
Let me have them, please.
I know that, the Dead Father said.
You two children have walked me many kilometers, said the Dead Father.
Why not?
I dont remember her very well, said the Dead Father. What was her name?
I havent an answer.
Thank you, Mother.
Id say you rather have.
We need garlic, bacon, tonic water, horseradish, cloves, chives, and chicory.
What will we do with ourselves when it is all over?
Garlic, bacon, tonic water, horseradish, cloves, chives, chicory.
Older people dont really like younger people, the Dead Father said.
I know who it is, Thomas said. It is Mother.
Both good choices, said the Dead Father. Also their congruence or non-congruence would be of interest.
I need my keys.
Thats it.
One would think one would be able to answer a question of that kind wouldnt one.
Cigarettes, chili powder, silver polish, mayonnaise, Lysol, croutons, chutney.
A person on horseback approaching the group.
Julie looked at Thomas.
In what sense, what?
I wonder who it is, said Emma.
Mother, Thomas said, we need some things from the store.
We need eggs, butter, peanut oil, vermouth, beef bouillon, and barbecue sauce.
Disagreeable not to have a ready and persuasive answer intelligible to all. I can imagine.
Id rather not answer that question if you dont mind, she said.
Yes let me have your keys.
What purpose? What entelechy? What will you do with yourselves when it is all over?
It is that one who has been following us, said Julie.
They call it stormy Monday butTuesdays just as bad, Thomas said, your keys.
I feel very uncomfortable without my keys! the Dead Father said.
One would.
Eggs, butter, peanut oil, vermouth, beef bouillon, barbecue sauce.
