Nineteen

Friday, April 29, 2016

Jack

Ceci, another dangerous heavy mission. Heading 100 miles southeast. Driving hard through snow, rain, and sleet. Shooting like a rocket to the Elbert County Courthouse.

Why?

I left my keys in the bathroom.

Have to pick them up from Lost and Found.

By the way, the last time I heard from you, your friends were slicing you up, draining out your blood, and a your youngest was sleeping with your ashy remains.

You can't just leave me like that. It creates a painful suspense overdose.

What's all that mean?

Ceci

I'm sorry about the suspense. Work is blowing up.

I'm trying to stay focused and somewhat aggressive to grab as much as I can. My friend Gwen has opened some doors, but I have to step up to the plate and show I know how to play, so to speak.

You know, I'm so easily affected by what I hear and see sometimes, I have to stop reading the tales about what's happening over there with you. It's too much for my wee brain to process. So usually I wait until I have a bit of time to look at what you've written. It's like getting everything out of the way so you can settle into a movie.

There were 9 people in my tiny office the other day. Man did I miss my old office next door. If this keeps up I'll take it back soon.

What do you think those dreams mean? The one with Isaac wasn't really a dream it was just an image that flashed before my eyes while I was lying down.

I think it means, get your affairs in order. I don't know. I have to grapple with my son's future. Starting to cry thinking about it, so I stop, but I realize it has to be done. There is a certainty that I will die someday.

Jack

That deserves....you deserve a thoughtful response.

Driving.

Will reply soon as I can.

Saturday, April 30, 2016

Jack

Morning!!

I stopped in Nederland for tea.

It's an old train car converted to a coffee house. Snowy morning. wood-burning stove. Warm & toasty. They're playing 1940's ballads...

I think I'll stay here and write you back.

Jack

There's so much packed into your text, trying to hear it all.

How about we start with accepting what we know to be true:

You are a super fine momma. So very fine that when I think of the Providence that placed that beautiful child with you, all your love for him, all the challenges, and how hard you keep working for him, it makes me believe that there might be a God.

Having a sweet momma is always a good start. There is also a long list of legal answers, special needs trusts, support trusts, SSI/SSD, guardianship, wills, etc. I could puff up like a jackass lawyer and hold forth and pontificate like a douche in a suit, telling you what you already know and pretending to know more. But that would be bullshit, and I could never lie to you.

If the question is how to provide for your special needs boy after your death, maybe a real authoritative guide would help. So yesterday, on the wings of Amazon, I sent you a book: Planning for the Future: Providing a Meaningful Life for a Child with a Disability after Your Death. Seems like it might be helpful. Tell me if it does the job.

And he has you, as long as you don't worry yourself to death. I think you are going to live to a ripe old age. Hell, I'm betting on it. My mom worries as much as you.  It has yet to kill her, but sometimes it bugs the shit out of the rest of us. She's 80 years old. Your young man also has his older brother, who I'm betting has a warm heart like his momma. And there is your loverman (husband), healthy, smart, a good guy, you know....

And, of course, you have first dibs on me. Statistically it is most likely that we become available and hook-up when we are in our 80s. In which case, you better keep up on your yoga because I'm pretty sure at 80 I'm going to be a freight train of love and tenderness.

And then there is our book. You reading it like a movie is a good sign. So add film rights, TV, action figures, and happy meals, that's at least a $billion dollars. So that's half a $billion for you right there!!

Will this be the first book written by thumbs, yours and mine?

I agree with you on your dream about Isaac. All of us will die someday.

So lets make the best of it!

But what about you being sliced and drained out?

Ceci

I saw the guy from that dream last night at Andy's opening. He's a photographer.

I can't figure out why my brain picked him.

I know one thing, I don't trust him now.

Jack

Hmmmmm

Did he say anything?

Ceci

No, he smiled at me. It was a packed house.

The dream was that Andy had commissioned him to do that to me.

Ugh.

Jack

Ugh.

What do you think?

Before I forget, here's something your text made me think of, Dr. Daniel Goleman:

"The secret of success is not what they taught you in school. What matters most is not IQ, not a business school degree, not even technical know-how or years of expertise. The single most important factor in job performance and advancement is emotional intelligence....These human skills include confidence, striving for goals despite setbacks, staying cool under pressure, harmony and collaboration, persuasion and influence."

So, yeah, your office is bursting with 9 people. And no, there is no "wee brain"

Ceci

Ha, thanks!

You pep talk me!

I do that for everyone else and you do it for me. It's awesome, I need it.

Jack

Back to the case. I forgot to disclose this shocking coincidence: We did some additional investigation, and after hours of grueling internet surfing, hard-boiled finger-pointing, and reckless speculation we found this possible link. Here's what Walmart sells to innocent Halloween shoppers.

[Photo: Walmart Catalog photo of purple "Sexy Genie'' Costume-REDACTED]

And here's what those who walk on the wild side, like "Anastasia" do with the same holiday outfit.

Jack

Is Walmart an accomplice? An unwitting stooge? Or just an excellent source of cheap socks?

I am back on the trail. Just drove to the liquor store that's supposed to be a Johannsson front for drugs, and prostitution. Greg wasn't in. I bought a beer and split.

Now, I'm headed to the Lonesome Pup Kennel. Their webpage makes it clear they want to be called first, "No Unscheduled Visits." They don't like surprise visits.

What is the dog kennel afraid I might walk in on? A game of hide the.......(no, it's tempting, but I can't say it).

[⭐Vote⭐ for super fine mommas!!]

Photo 1: Freight Train by Yorkarain, 2017 (Pixabay #2705022).

Photos 2-3: Taken and own by authors, 2016.