The Swan: a Novel by Jim Cohee

Author:Jim Cohee
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: fiction, midwest fiction, midwestern fiction, literature, midwest literature, midwestern literature, Indiana, Indianapolis, 1950s
Publisher: Indiana University Press
Published: 2011-10-25T00:00:00+00:00

Linda went to a party, sat on the kitchen table, and gave a kiss to anyone who asked. Eddy asked for one. Mike got mad at her. Now Mike won’t talk to Linda. Linda said, “Oh, you big baby!”

At Dr. Epstein’s one day, Reba took the pencil from Morrie and gave him a whack. “I want to sleep in a separate box,” she said. Morrie shouted, “No!” Reba said, “Yes!” Morrie said, “No!” Reba said, “Yes, yes, Mr. Morrie, hunky dory. And you know what? Huh? You know what, Morrie?” Morrie said, “What? Go ahead. Say it, Reba! Jeez!” Reba said, “You didn’t like the prawns!” Morrie said, “That’s a complete fabrication. I did not say I didn’t like the prawns!” Reba said, “Had it up to here, Morrie.” Morrie said, “Those prawns weren’t so bad. I mean, they weren’t terrible . . .” Now Reba opened her red bird mouth and turned to Morrie. She said, “And you know where you can put your career.” Morrie said, “All right. That’s enough. I have had just about enough!” Reba said, “No, you haven’t! You haven’t had even near enough. It’s your fault!” Morrie said, “Now calm down, Reba.” Reba said, “After a while, baby doll.” Morrie said, “You are not leaving.” Reba said, “You bet I’m leaving. I am gone. You know gone?” Morrie said, “You are not leaving, Reba. Come back to Earth for ten minutes and let’s . . .” Reba said, “Yeah, well who’s going to stop me? Huh? Tell me that.” Morrie said, “Can’t we just, like two . . .”

It ended there. I don’t know why. The muscles in his hands gave way. The puppets fell into a kind of coma. They drifted down to the desk, and he pulled his hands from their shirts.

Dr. Epstein said, “What have we learned from this experience today? We need to talk about our problems. Do you see that, Aaron? That’s the point. Morrie said some rude things to Reba, and she’s getting back now. She’s getting even. Morrie needs to say he’s sorry, that’s all it is. They need to talk to each other and smooth things out.”

There was silence. We looked at each other. “Do you want to play chess?” he said. He set up the pieces painfully. He gave himself the first move, but then lost his knight right away and shrugged and tipped his king over on the board. “And that’s it,” he said.

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