Part 5: Adding Insult to Injury

Chapter 1: Gals Group

“It’s always tempting for writers to magnify evil because it’s actually easier to write about darkness than it is about light. The poet Philip Larkin once said that ‘happiness writes white.’ It’s like writing white on white paper. But it’s really essential, I think, to keep reminding people of the essential goodness of creation, the essential goodness of things in themselves . . . so much of what we do to struggle is to set things right, things that have gone wrong, people that have gone wrong, places that have been despoiled, tools that have been broken. It’s always intrinsically good to take a thing that’s been misused or mismanaged and mend it. The same is true of people . . .” 
Malcolm Guite, “The Fellowship of the (Smoke) Ring,” May 15, 2023,

Photo by Crisoforo Gaspar Hernandez on Unsplash

Saturday, May 23, 2020
	In gals’ group, we’re eager to hear how Beatrice thought the graduation party went yesterday. From what we could see from our car, the event went off without a hiccup. His Royal Highness, Prince Levi, sat on his gaudy golden throne, wearing his black cap and gown with a red and gold homemade honors sash crossing his chest. He smiled in a dashing sort of way and waved as the cars drove by and honked. He seemed to be enjoying the event.
	Beatrice reports it went quite well but has lots of cleanup to do and wonders if she might borrow Shannon Monday instead of Thursday. Grant her this although I shall have to switch Monday and Thursday’s schedules to make this possible.
	Beatrice goes on to say how sweet it was for everyone to come by and give such lovely gifts. She believes Levi appreciated most of it, albeit it was a big disappointment not to have baccalaureate and commencement speeches and all the pomp and circumstances. 
	I half-wish COVID had happened during my own graduation and wedding as pomp and circumstance are a repeated nightmare of mine, that and finding myself onstage without knowing my lines.
	Beatrice says that Paul’s apartment complex refi has gone through, so now all ties between them have been severed. She says this with a big sigh and a cock of her head. 
	Find this pronouncement rather dramatic. Assume Paul still communicates with his parents. They’re Facebook friends. However, suppose that doesn’t count as a relationship, especially as Paul’s Facebook presence is primarily one of wisecracks and reposts of anti-authoritarian statements.
	“Does he never call?” Dianne rushes in where the rest of us ladies fear to tread.
	Beatrice makes a clicking sound with her mouth and gently shakes her head. Her bob-cut brushes her chin. “No. No, he doesn’t.” She sounds forlorn.
	“Why don’t you call him?” Dianne inquires. 
	Beatrice gives a fake laugh. “That would make an interesting conversation.” She does not explain why, and Dianne has the sense not to ask. Maybe Paul doesn’t want to talk to his mother. Maybe Paul is angry about not being granted his mother’s gate code. Maybe he will only talk to her in person, and as Beatrice is attempting to obey the six-foot-distance regulations, this is impossible. Who knows?
	I go next. Explain how after a week or so of my children pretending their arms and legs don’t work, my chore chart is finally creating the ease and cleanliness I so desire. It keeps the children occupied and reduces the amount of housework. My gals rejoice with me.
	Next, explain our distressing animal problems. Saw a coyote trotting through our side-yard yesterday. Should’ve guessed that the next animal on the food-chain would shown up. Lucy asks if there’s anything higher up than a coyote, and Beatrice answers, “Man.”