American Chordata: Magazine of New Writing Issue One, Spring 2015 | Page 75

57 • FI CTION

we are friends, “How should I know? I’m the last to know.” That I
just turn the record over and go upstairs is what it’s like now—anything to do with my father going out, keep your mouth shut.
A little bit later I hear cupboards slamming in the kitchen. It’s
still raining and he’s still not home. Then I hear a loud thud and
Marky yelping. When I get to the landing, Marky is under the front
hall. A saucepan lands in front of the sideboard. How could she do
that? That’s Marky’s favorite spot! A frying pan comes next. Then
Tizzy’s pan. Roasting pan. Meatloaf pan. Coffee pot. Last time she
picked the pots up. Not tonight. She leaves them on the carpet.
He’s home. They start yelling in the kitchen.
“One of these days, I’d like to meet your girlfriend. Why don’t
you invite her for a drink?”
“Don’t be ridiculous. You’re welcome to come. Sidney asked why
you never come.”
“I don’t recall receiving an invitation. I wonder why that is?”
“And I wonder why all our friends have to be members of the
goddamned faculty. What do you want? A card in the mail? Engraved?”
“Does Dr. Hildebrandt teach at the medical school?’
“He does research and sees patients.”
“Research on what?”
“Blood pressure.”
“I wonder how his blood pressure is these days.”
A few days later another fight, this time in the living room.
“I’ve been invited to go up north to their fishing camp.”
“When might that be?”
“Whenever they go up north. I don’t know, June? It’s on the
Au Sable River.”
“And who will be going to the fishing camp on the Au Sable
River in June?”
“Sidney’s fishing buddies. Christ Almighty! Can’t a man have
a hobby? You’re the one who gave me a tackle box for my birthday.
And I have a client who makes fishing tackle!”
He’s right about that. She goes quiet. Finally, she says, “And
what about Gwen?”