Eight of Wands [Reversed]

Our Rooming House—AFTERNOON

I return to the tiny house with the rose arbor. As I go up the porch steps I stop to think to myself that I wish I had bought a Christmas present for Sailor Lou and his wife for their hospitality. But, my thoughts are interrupted as I enter to find Maggie and Lou’s extended family is having a get-together in the living room. I try to politely acknowledge everyone as I squeeze through to my rooms. As I go, I call to Maggie.

“I have to say ‘Thank you’ for the trip to the train station. You’ve once again been too kind.” Maggie responds with introductions.

“This is our daughter, her husband and two babies. Of course, you already know our other two kids. They will be staying for a couple of weeks and you’ll be seeing them around.” She turns to address the whole clan. “Frank, here, is one of our boarders. I guess it will be a tight squeeze in the house with him here.”

“And a guilt trip!” I mutter under my breath. I am not sure if Maggie has heard or not, she says.

“The babies are eating Swiss cheese and it is all over the floor. Try not to step on it.”

Indeed, I think the cluster of relatives and the cheese is to over-dramatize the crowding of the house for my benefit. I cross the room and head down the hall to my quarters.

I think I should pack perhaps and go ASAP. I barely stay here anymore and my rooms are mostly empty save some books and papers.

Someone else will probably take me in somewhere. However as I jiggle the lock and enter, I find the room to be even more stark than normal. Furious, I cross to the window and peer out. My stuff is mostly on strewn the back lawn. I grab some of the remaining books and papers left on high shelves in the closet and stuff them into my shoulder bag.

“Did they see these things and get offended or something?”

I leave the house through the back door to the yard to get the rest of my things.

I will not give them the benefit of telling them that I give in. I have three pairs of boots (I will try to take two), my wool blazer, my green jacket, hospital blanket, sleeping pad, notebooks and clipboard. I try to stuff everything into the shoulder bag and a backpack that I also scoop up from the grass. Maggie the caretaker can be heard from the house, yelling.

“We’re watching you!”

I look up. I can see the granddaughter in the window eating cereal in a bowl. I scream back.

“Who’s there? Who sees me? The horse-faced little girl?—”

She is replaced in the kitchen window by the Maggie’s daughter

“—Or the fat middle-aged TWAT!?”

I put on the pack and grab my final things. The back door bangs. It is Maggie, and I give up and trudge off down the street.