"We never should have left it and rented it to
those people," he said.
"Well, we won't have to rent it again. ever."
"Good," he said, and looked at the table.
"Linden, didn't you take your pill this
morning?" Mother asked him.
"Pill? No What pill?"
"Oh dear," she said, and went to get his
medication. He watched her go.
"And then," he began where I had interrupted
him. "I will keep my supplies in the closet on the
right. I want to stock up so I don't have to depend on
anyone. There's plenty of room. The stock closet has a
great set of shelves, you know. I remember that. I
remember the three light fixtures, brass, and there was
a place for a safe. I think. Maybe it was just a mistake
and they said it was a place for a mistake. Jackie Lee
thought that. too. She always wanted me to call her
Jackie Lee. Did you know that? Yes, Jackie Lee, Call
me Jackie Lee. Don't call me Grandma or Ma or any
other name like that. Let's just use our names. okay?
You're Linden. I'm Jackie Lee. Okay, all right. Even if
you have a bad dream, don't scream. 'Grandma.' Don't
scream. 'Ma.' Don't scream anything, but if you have
to scream, scream for Jackie Lee. Jackie Lee..." His voice trailed off as Mother returned, and he
sat back. After a moment he looked up at t
he two of
us and smiled.
"I think I'll take a short rest before going out to work. I got up too early this morning. I've been up for
hours and hours, haven't I. Mother?"