“Linda.”
Not now, not right when my show is coming on. Maybe if I pretend I don’t hear him, the meds will take him back under…
“Linda, I need a cigarette.” More insistent.
Go to sleep, Harry. Go back to sleep. It’s too late. I’m so tired…
“Linda, the pack is empty. I need a smoke.” Almost a plea.
Just one lousy hour, is that too much to ask? I’m sorry about your accident, Harry, I really am. But can’t you leave me alone for just one hour? One stinkin’ hour? Does that make me selfish? Does that make me a bad person…
Maybe if I turn up the TV…
Those housewives are living on another planet. New Jersey, no way. I don’t know anyone who lives like that. And those brats of theirs. If I had kids who acted that way…
Thank God, he’s quiet again. I’m sure he fell back asleep. Those percocets will kick your ass, I can tell you that. Twenty milligrams and you’re gone. I’m sure he fell asleep. Maybe if I switched his meds to nine o’clock he’d always be asleep by ten. Then I could have my hour. I’m going to try that tomorrow…
I can’t believe how spoiled these people are. You wouldn’t see me bitching about stupid shit like wallpaper if I had three cars. And they ain’t cheap cars either. That Jag she drives is sweet, but that color! Who picked that out? Looks like baby puke. These people. Unbelievable…
I’m sure if he really needed me I would hear it over the TV. He’s so stubborn. If he really needs me I’d hear him. He wouldn’t stop. Must be in our genes. Mama is like that. No wonder Daddy left. She would never shut up…
Maybe Billy will call tomorrow. We can go dancin’ Friday night. I can have Mama come over and watch Harry for the night. Maybe she can at least do that. I’d hear about it for a month, but it would be worth it to go dancin’ with Billy at Hoppy’s on Friday night…
I should peek in on him, make sure he’s asleep. I don’t want to have to get up after I go to bed. I’m going to sleep right after this show. Five-thirty comes fast…
Thank God. I’ll close the door…
“Linda, you’re here.”
Shit.
“Yes, Harry.”
“I want a snack.”
“There’s nothing in the house. I told you that before. I told you I had to go to the store tomorrow. I told you that.”
“Oh right.” Resignation.
Damn it. Damn it all to hell. My baby brother, helpless as the day he was born…
“Krauszer’s is open, Harry. Krauszer’s is still open.”
“That’s good. I’d like cupcakes. The kind with the squiggly frosting on top. The chocolate ones.”
“Okay, Harry. I’ll go get you the chocolate ones with the squiggly frosting on top.”
“Thank you, Linda.”
Where did I leave my keys? Oh here they are. I must’ve put them there without thinking. They repeat this show on Friday nights, don’t they? I think they do. I think they repeat it on Friday nights. I’ll give Harry his meds at nine o’clock and watch the rest of it then…
“Linda!”
“I’m going now, Harry. I’ll be back in fifteen minutes. I’m going now.”
“Okay, Linda. Don’t forget the cigarettes.”
Trask Avenue 