Same Old Truths Read Online Free Page A

geez,” Kay replied. “Ok. Give me a sec. I spilled coffee on my blouse and I need to clean it up.”
    “Ok. I’ll ask her to wait.” Ruth spoke with her usual air of competence.
    Evelyn Burleigh, aka The Black Dahlia, was here for her monthly review of her funeral pre-arrangement file. The reason for the inspection changed from month to month, but it was usually due to some impending crisis of the utmost urgency.
    Last month’s visit was prompted by a serious medical crisis. Evelyn had to be sure her final wishes were in order because, while enjoying herself at the senior citizens’ dance in the arms of Horace Bledsoe, jitterbugging to Glenn Miller’s, In The Mood, her “uterus fell out.” The gynecologically-challenged woman explained to a stunned Kay the official diagnosis was uterine “relapse” and it could happen again at any time.
    The truth was Evelyn was a lonely old woman who just needed someone to talk to now and then. Tony, her 40 year old, unemployed son lived with her but spent the majority of the time in his room watching TV, emerging only when he wanted something to eat.
    Kay had christened Evelyn,The Black Dahlia, because the woman reminded her of those “big brassy dames” of the Silver Screen. She always wore a huge, black floppy-brimmed hat and big black sun-glasses that when removed, revealed seriously-smudged black mascara. All that was missing was a smoldering cigarette at the end of a long black cigarette holder to complete the picture.
    Evelyn was in her early seventies but carried herself straight and tall with a theatrical elegance which she attempted to insert into her speech. Her sentences included plenty of “Dahlings” and were punctuated with big, dramatic arm and hand gestures. The only problem was she didn’t have a good grasp of everyday phrases and expressions and her mangled deliveries were a source of great amusement for Kay.
    From her office doorway Kay could see Evelyn, in full black regalia, nervously pacing back and forth in front of Ruth’s desk. As she neared the reception area she realized Evelyn was not alone. Slumped in a chair across from Ruth was Tony, looking bored or dim-witted…Kay couldn’t decide which. The blue sweat pants he was wearing were badly faded, full of holes and in desperate need of laundering. His red t-shirt, obviously two sizes too small, failed to cover his large, protruding stomach.
    Take off the pants, and you’ve got Winnie the Pooh.
    Kay was already getting in the spirit of the comedy show about to start.
    “Evelyn, how good to see you,” Kay said, extending her hand to greet the old woman.
    “Dahling, I’m so glad you’re here,” she said, ignoring Kay’s hand and enveloping her in a dramatic embrace that almost knocked Kay out of her pumps. “You remember my Tony,” Evelyn said, pushing Kay away and proudly nodding toward the moping mass in the chair.
    “Of course I do. Hello, Tony,” Kay said, trying to be enthusiastic for Evelyn’s sake.
    Keeping his gaze on the floor, and using every ounce of energy he could muster, Tony snapped his arm up at the elbow in one of those limp, “heil Hitler!” salutes.
    Kay returned her attention to Tony’s mother, still beaming with pride at her brooding blob. “What can I do for you today, Evelyn?”
    “Something has come up and I need to check my pre-arrangement file.”
    “Of course, Evelyn. No problem. Let’s go back to my office.” Kay said. She was surprised to see Tony quickly rise from his chair and follow behind.
    Looking for sympathy, Kay shot a quick glance back at Ruth, but the ever-professional woman had already turned her attention back to her computer screen. Kay was on her own.
    “Please, sit,“ Kay said as they entered her office, gesturing to the two chairs in front of her desk. Her workspace was small but seemed larger thanks to two large windows which provided ample light. An attractive array of potted plants and tastefully-hung pictures helped to make the