It was a few weeks prior to the birthday of my nephew Alex. My Aunt Phyllis, who is also Alex’s Grandmother without hesitation invited her sister, who is also my mother, Susan Nardone. My mother accepted the invitation, after all, it was for her sisters first born grandchild. Days passed until it was the morning of young Alex’s birthday celebration, and for one reason or another, my mom did not want to go. She couldn’t just decide not to go by calling and saying “hey I don’t think I will be able to make it I’m sorry”. Phyllis would never understand. No, nothing that simple could possibly excuse her from this commitment. It was then at that very moment, when it became clear to my mother that a lie must be told.
As it happens, my brother Donald, and my father were working on replacing a bay window in the front of the house. My mom saw the hole where the old window one was just before the new one went in. All things became clear to her at that moment. It was so easy. It was literally the perfect lie. Phyllis new of the work going on at the house and everyone knows of the challenges my mother has in regard to her immediate surroundings. It was to her credit, a stroke of genius, to see that these two facts, these two pieces of bread, could be wrapped around her own wants and desires to form a perfect sandwich of relief. She could just simply say that she fell out of the window. Anyone who knows my mom would never doubt such a thing could happen. My mother picked up the phone explained to Phyllis that she fell out of the window, and just like that, my mother was free from her commitment. But then came the guilt.
My mother felt very bad, having lied to her little sister, so she began now trying to figure out what to do about this newly found guilt. After a while it came to her. She thought to herself “Hey! I told Phyllis that I fell out of the window, so if I were to go to the window and fall through it, then that act would render my lie a truth” Now,…I am not going to point out the obvious, and numerous reasons why this idea was bad. I think my readers can see this. My mom also saw the flaws in this idea but she was not convinced, so she asked me, Donald, and my dad. It is hard to believe that someone would need these things explained to them, but in any event, here are some examples of the counsel she was given. My fathers’ response was “Are you out of your G#@ D @mned mind?” or “Are you insane!!!” Donald actually encouraged this. I don’t think it had anything to do with how he felt. I think he just wanted to see the show and tell the story. I actually did tell my mom that what she does in the future won’t change the past, and that no amount of insane acts will cover up a lie. I also said mom, you did it. It’s done. Let it be. I plead with her, and asked “mom in the interest of your own safety, please don’t do it mom.” She said “Thank you Tommy”
She then went upstairs to change her clothes. Then it was time to jump. I don’t know where my dad had gotten off to before this happened because he would not have allowed it. Donald was the only one there and he was cheering her on like a football coach. My mom took three steps and jumped. She did not jump soon enough. She actually tripped on a piece of wood and landed in the bushes and did not land very well.
I don’t know what my dad said when he found out I’m sure he used too many swear words for me to write, and then went to Tommy Cooks house. He sometimes went there when things at home got weird or crazy
When it was all over, Mom called Phyllis came clean with Phyllis.
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