I found myself setting the scene as she
paced back and forth, the sun so bright.
she was courting its favor

Muttering her story in the silent room,her
80 yr young voice seemed loud,though only
a whisper she was saying with wonder

"Within the circle of the thought,lies
the heart of its story which will never
see the light of day"

"Yet,it hides inside my memory forever
and every now and then pops up to remind
me it can never be forgotten"

I guessed she had forgotten I was sitting in a
chair by the fire ,hidden from her view,as she
paced near the windows behind me

Once again she spoke of things quite fervently
" I will never tell my husband,  Jim is not his
grandson,nor shall I tell my grandson who his
real father is"

I almost jumped up with shock at this news
but had to consider that my aunt would be
devastated if she knew I had heard

During the silence I pondered what to do,I couldn't
leave the room without her knowing,but I could
feign sleep,as if I never heard her statement

As her niece, her brothers daughter, I'd never heard
this bit of news and wasn't aware of who knew it
if anyone, I sat as still as possible,barely breathing

Suddenly she said out loud "Brenda, are you still here
your so quiet, I'm ready for lunch, I can't get this
damn chapter of my story right,maybe you can help"

I crumpled in the chair with relief, I had been
drafting an article on  formulating thoughts, and
had forgotten she was writing a new book 

"Yes Aunt Ida I'm still here,though I was half
asleep, did you mention lunch? if so I'm ready"
I thought to myself, a hasty lesson learned
Be sure you know what you're listening to

etw