I'm touching up a photograph for a program for a funeral.

I have ridiculous thoughts in my head.
What would I do, if next Tuesday, I had to start to think about life without a person I consider essential.

Aha! But who would that be? I haven't met anyone irreplacable in years.

Last year, I dated this guy named Geoffrey. His father isn't dying OF anything. His father has simply given up. He lays in bed in Bakersfield, watching television and being cruel to anyone who comes close to him. As Geoffrey was somewhat of a coked-up coward, I don't know how much of what he said to me was the truth. It wasn't carefully constructed, but I rarely find myself dating anyone so simple that they cannot spill a convincing story without preparation.

I have another friend whose mother passed. He mocks people who haven't ever experienced anything like that before. I kind of do too. But in my case, my own mother's death has become an excuse.