I was away on family business. And goodness knows, things are a bit more difficult when traveling now. Checkpoints, quarantines, checkups and the like. A 2 week trip can take up to 5 additional days; just for the sake of safety.
Not that I have any health woes. But if you come from a large urban area, to a rural one…you can bet they’ll take their time checking. Even if you have a small scratch on your hand (as I did—a minor cut which I let go too long w/out ointment—a minor infection, but certainly not a bite or scratch from someone like Dennis—an injury from hanging art @ the gallery where I work--anyway). The detailed questionnaires and invasive tests tend to get a bit trying, but I guess it’s worth it. If there were ever another widespread outbreak (‘cause someone made it past a checkpoint—when they shouldn’t have), we, as a species, probably wouldn’t make it through again. I don’t need to remind you of how many folks we lost in the initial “problem”.
Anyhow, the reason for my absence…I have some sad news to report. I was called away from work (and my life) to attend to a sick relative.
Aunt Polly was a prominent figure in our family. My mother’s own aunt (thus, my GREAT aunt—but she was more than GREAT, she was SUPER! LOL!) was just plain getting old. It didn’t help that in her delicate condition, her nurse was stricken w/ the dreaded sickness and while bathing her, attempted to devour dear Aunt Polly. I never personally liked that nurse (Anita), but she was devoted and trust-worthy. Besides, Aunt Polly adored her. But Anita kept hidden that she had been bitten (apparently only slightly—but that’s all it takes—we still don’t know the details on how she became one of them). On top of that, Aunt Polly insisted on living in her home (in the country no less), even after old age took hold. She never wanted to move to an old folks home, wanted the memory of our extended family and all of our many gatherings in her home over the years. Can’t say I blame her. Going back to the ancient place brings back so many memories. Do you know what divinity is? I’m talking about the candy. The holiday season brought out the baking beast in Aunt Polly, and I’m telling you—that woman was a miracle worker in the kitchen. And her cherry flavored divinity was not something to miss. God bless her.
Well, Aunt Polly was always a pistol, and apparently that stubbornness didn’t fail her in her hour of need. She was able to fend off Anita with her walker (while naked and dripping from her bath), and eventually locked the wretched woman out of the bathroom. It wasn’t until a day or so later, when my uncle Roger showed up to say hello on one of his regular Monday afternoon visits, that this was all discovered. Of course, Roger immediately dispatched Anita with a fire poker (good riddance! Yes, yes, I know…I’m trying to understand these creatures, but Anita was a devil anyway!). By this time, though, my beloved Aunt Polly had fallen prey to the cold and her naked body’s exposure to the ridiculous temperatures (such frigid temps even in the middle of May—that’s the Midwest, I guess. Certainly slows down the zombie though).
She didn’t make it.
It was a blow to the entire family.
There’s definitely more to tell about my time away; mourning and “dealing” with Aunt Polly. Yes, it means exactly what you think it means. For now, let’s just say that I’m emotionally and physically exhausted.
Soon, I will explain…but I still have to formulate my thoughts. It’s a little difficult considering what the family has just been through. At any rate, I’m back. And I’m ready to resume my operations and work toward my goals anew. Dennis and Trudy O. will tell me their tales yet.
And of course, speaking of Dennis, I was given a photograph of something that had been spray painted on the wall of the 3rd floor parking garage (discovered by Leonard) during my time away. No one is certain where it came from, who did it and who the message was meant for.
I have my own ideas.
Now, it says “Were you go”. My translation is “Where did you go?”
Stay safe, alert and unbitten.
