The Hanging Garden Page #3

trying to put out the pilot light.

Convinced we were all

going to burn in our sleep...

if she didn't put out the pilot light.

Ruined the stove.

Took her to the doctor's.

Said she was in the middle stage of it.

I felt bad.

Should've had her in there years ago.

But who could tell?

I thought she was just getting old.

You didn't have any cake.

I didn't have any because I don't want any.

Milk?

No.

- Sugar?

- No.

Do you have to starve yourself?

No more than I had to gorge myself, before.

You were never fat when you were little.

And you never ate that much.

That was the weird thing.

Not when you could see me.

There was nothing you could do about it.

Nobody could make me be skinny.

It was one thing you couldn't make me be.

Felt good.

- That felt good, looking like that?

- I didn't care how I looked.

I wasn't going anywhere.

Nothing fit me, anyway.

Being fat meant

I didn't have to play any sports.

I didn't have to have any fights.

I didn't have to have a girlfriend.

So, you were fat because of me.

No, if you'd had a different son,

he would have been skinny.

I am skinny.

You have a friend now?

Yes.

What's his name?

Dick.

His name is Dick.

What does your Dick do?

Computers.

Do you love him?

Funny, that's what he says.

Yes...

I love Dick.

And you're not unhappy anymore?

I'm very happy.

Happy enough.

I thought I would never see you again.

I thought you hated me.

I love you.

Of course I love you.

I've never heard you tell Poppy

you love him, but I know you do.

Don't tell me that I love him,

because you know I don't.

Then why do you stay here?

This was our house, goddamn it,

yours and mine.

And your sister's, and now Violet's.

If I could have given you this on my own,

I would have.

How am I supposed to pay the rent?

If I didn't have you kids, I'd be...

I'd be somewhere warm, at least.

Sorry to have been a burden.

Your father used to cry

every year on your birthday.

Poor guy!

He blames me for you. Me and Laurel.

He'd have let the garden die

if I hadn't tended...

You think everything would die

if you didn't take care of it.

I'm sorry.

The place looks very nice.

It's like I never left.

All you gotta do is back up.

Blessings, all summer.

- How much for this sea gull?

- You can have that.

- Really? How about these two blue jays?

- Those would be $2.

Those belong to my daughter.

- How much for the doll?

- $2.80.

Grow.

Why can't she eat with the rest of us?

- I didn't ask her why.

- That's bullshit.

- Did you water the garden yet?

- Not yet.

Get your fat ass out there

and water it before you sit at the table.

She's 68. She can eat where she wants.

Don't bring her another plate upstairs.

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