"gerald and kitty"

It had been three weeks since Gerald left but Kitty acted like it had only been three days. We were in the kitchen and she was baking apple pie so it’d be ready when Gerald returned home. Pie like that would be dried up and dead by the time Gerald set foot in this house again.

“You know, he’s just gone down to Grayson to pick up a few things for that old tractor. He’s trying to fix it.”
“Gerald’s probably in Louisiana by now, Kitty.”

“I told him that tractor’s worthless but he’s set on bringing it back to life,” she continued, bending down to check the oven.

“I say, sometimes he’s a stubborn as his old man.”

“Kitty, listen to me.”

“Oh, what is it, dear? Sorry, I’m not paying you any respect, going on about God knows what. I’ve just been so preoccupied, trying to get things proper for when Gerald gets home.”

“Gerald left, Kitty. I mean, he’s gone. He’s not coming back.”

“Don’t be silly. What a thing to say. Why would he go and do such a thing? No, he’s just gone to get some things. Visiting his Aunt Tess in Foxville, I bet.”

“Yes, he’s probably passed through there, on his way to a new home and a new state.”

“So you’re telling me he’s moved out of this house that he’s happily lived in for twenty-three years?”

“I wouldn’t say happily, but yes, that’s what I’m saying.”

“Nonsense. Where’s he moved to then?”

“I don’t’ know, Kitty. But he’s—“

“You don’t know, that’s exactly right. He doesn’t have a new address as far as I can tell, and you don’t have one for him, either. Can you imagine Gerald actually picking up and living?” She laughed. “It’d be like someone picking up and going to the moon.”