Deano guessed he would have to be the welcome wagon for Cyrus.
Mario was still working on Cyrus' space just down the hall from where Cori and Megan would live. It was a big enough studio with a small kitchen, a large closet, and of course a bathroom with a shower. Maybe not what this cousin of Melvin's was used to, but hopefully wouldn't mind.
Cyrus looked casual enough and asked if he could take his mask off once he and Deano were away from the airport. Deano assured him he was vaccinated. Although, he wasn't sure it meant that much as of late, yet he wouldn't be a downer about the current COVID situation.
Deano apologized to him that Cori wasn't here to meet him. He was at the doctor's.
"The doctor? What's wrong?" Cyrus wanted to know. Deano couldn't help but smile. Cyrus really was likable enough.
"I dunno, actually. He just needed to go in." He told him that Cori's girlfriend texted him about it. "You'll be meeting her soon. She lives with Cori, but she's an elementary teacher so you might not see her often.
"Oh," Cyrus only nodded. He really didn't say much about his flight, but he was glad to have his feet on the ground. Finally, when they got to the pizzeria he said to Deano it was the first time he'd ever been out of the state of New Jersey.
Of course, Deano felt bad for him. He went to get him a soft drink right away and a slice of pizza.
"Make it cheese, I kind of have a nervous stomach," Cyrus said.
Deano nodded and wondered if he just needed to rest and forget about showing him the kitchen and what-not in the pizzeria, but they set down at an empty table. Cyrus devoured the slice of pizza and asked for another. So Deano handed over another slice.
"Maybe you should take it easy after your flight," Deano said. Cyrus only nodded but ate as if he hadn't eaten in days.
And then he unzipped his suitcase carry-on and got out a nice wooden box.
Deano studied it wondering if they'd won an award or something.
"It's Melvin's ashes," Cyrus said. "Where would you like for me to put them?"
Always so interesting, keep writing!
ReplyDeleteKisses, Paola.
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so sad, ashes are very heavy I learned when my mom was cremated.
ReplyDeleteHola!! wow me gusto que pusieras lo del Covid lo hace tan ameno
ReplyDeleteSad :-(
ReplyDeleteUy me dio pena por Melvin me caía ese personaje y sentí su muerte. ¿Que hará Deano con las cenizas?
ReplyDeleteVery interesting ;)
ReplyDeleteSo Cyrus arrives. The first and last sentences are perfect bookends: "Deano guessed he would have to be the welcome wagon for Cyrus." '"It's Melvin's ashes," Cyrus said. "Where would you like for me to put them?"' First of all, poor Deano! He always gets saddled with such unpleasantness. Also, it's telling how this new character comes in carrying an old sadness and changes everything. It's interesting that he's never been out of the state of New Jersey. I've lived in New Jersey all my life, but whenever I traveled to other parts of the country (as reluctant as I was to do so), it gave me an appreciation for them as well as for my home state. One thing that was weird was that people would often say, "New Jersey; isn't it dangerous there?" "Not North Jersey," I'd clarify, thinking they were fixated on the ye olde murder capital of Newark. But then they would just say, "Yeah, but what about Camden and Philly?" Oh well! I guess wherever you're from is always the safest place to you, public opinion notwithstanding. Anyway, I'm looking forward to finding out more about Cyrus. And I'm glad that your crossover apron is turning out well. And that you like staying home too. :)
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting how we talk about from where we live. Here..it's oh..which Kansas City did you say? When I grew up in Texas there was a boy I knew who had never left the state of Texas. The nearest town he'd been to was only 60 miles away. He barely graduated high school, but he became a plumber's apprentice and later inherited his business. So I guess he's still too busy to go anywhere. I love hearing about the cities you mentioned in New Jersey! =)
DeleteSo sad to read about the Melvin's ashes.
ReplyDeletePrzykro mi z powodu Melivina :(
ReplyDeleteI loved this chapter. It was so vivid and your style. I admire your handling of the story.
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