By Jeffrey A. Paolano
Liatta’s latest mania prompts her father’s question. “Anything on Saturday?” Pelch hopefully inquires.
“No, sheet’s bare.”
“Shit.” His response is laden with disenchantment.
Arriving home Pelch grumbles a greeting to Arlene, “Hello, honey, no overtime. I’ll just go to Manpower Saturday.”
“Oh, you’ll miss our family day,” responds a downcast Arlene, hands adrip.
An innocent Liatta joins the two in preparing the family’s dinner.
“Mom, can we go look at clarinets on Saturday?”
“Yes, dear.” The parents cast a furtive bright-eyed glance.
Pelch smiles expansively as does his wife, lighting their burden’s dulling grey, a light brightening the drudge of Saturday.
I love the mood the writer creates in only 101 words. The caring father was going to look for temp work on a Saturday. Instead the parents will indulge their daughter with a musical instrument.
Their bond reverberates.
A sweet well crafted story.