I kinda miss him. He mighta been an irascible sort, but he cut the grass and kept the car moving. Now I hire that man to do that. Forty years with that old coot was just too much. If we could've stopped at thirty-five, it might have been alright. It just went on too long. I guess my wishes took him away. Our daughter says he's around if I'd just look for him. I don't think I'm that interested.

I'm definitely better off without him. I can hire someone to do everything he did for less money than he used to spend on those damn model airplanes. Wish I could throw them away and have more room for my quilting stuff. I can't do it right now. I'd like to clean out the closet too, make more room for my clothes. Guess that'll have to wait too.

It's about time for lunch. Wish he was here to fix those toasted cheese sandwiches - bread smeared with butter, two slices of cheese. and lots of garlic salt. Guess I'll see what's out in the kitchen. Sometimes there's something on the counter for me.

II

Lunch time is the only time of day I miss her. I sure would like to have one of those Philadelphia cream cheese sandwiches with tomato soup. Mix that cream cheese with some olive chips and make it creamy with mayonnaise, add a little olive juice and a few drops of lemon juice. Boy, that would be good right now.

Except for lunch I can't think of a single reason to be sorry she's gone. Our daughter says she'll come back some day when I'm ready. She don't understand how important it is that she stays gone. Well, maybe the housework she did helped a little, but I hire that woman to do that.

In forty years I never was allowed enough room for my airplanes. Had those damn quilts hanging everywhere. Little bits of thread all over the table, getting into the airplane glue, sometimes even get in your mouth. I tell that cleaning woman to throw that stuff out, but she never does.

Twenty years would have been enough. But what can you expect? - twenty good, twenty bad. Everything in life evens out.

I think I'll mosey out to the kitchen. Sometimes there's a sandwich and soup on the counter for me.

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