"...Do you know- how hard it is to make people laugh--?" I wailed...
"It is ridiculous, preposterous! you color me amused ----
even though, I don't want anything to do with you anymore!
"Ana Marie!"
"No-" she waved an arm up at me- "No Naneens !
do you hear me? - no more homework -stories--- meatloaf!"
No more neighborhood Nanny? older sister-protector-defender -?
Now the youngster from long ago was whining.
The air was a bit stale in the hall, even with
the bare casement window open down the end;
there was still an underlayment of cooking grease
and heating oil-
"...I am glad for you Francis!" She unfolds her arms
and turns away to unlock her door.
"Now go take a bike out into the park- and
find yourself some boys to play baseball with---"
She bent down to grab her bag of groceries.
" It is fine weather nowadays---GO..."
