When we lived in NYC, a feel good fix for Mama was getting her nails done. She loved having her hands massaged, it was heaven for her. She'd occasionally doze off as the manicurist worked on her hands. For the next few days following her "beauty treatment" as she called it, she'd show off her nails to all her friends at the nursing home.
Years later in California, Douglass or I would do her nails since she really enjoyed the "beauty treatment". One day as Douglass was finishing Mama's nails, I started to sing "After You've Gone" to keep her from dozing off. Well it woke her up and then she started...
Mama: Why are you singing that song Vincent? Are you doing my nails to get me ready for my casket?
Vin: You love that song and you were starting to doze off. Casket? What?
Mama: Yeah casket! When I die I want to be laid out in a beautiful gown and have everyone come see me.
Douglass: Anna, when did you ever wear gowns?
Vin: And who do you think is going to come see you in your beautiful gown? Besides you said you wanted to be cremated.
Mama: Ok, ok. No more talk about this death crap.
Vin: You're the one that brought it up.
Mama: Well I don't wanna talk about it anymore. Deal the damn cards, will ya?
Douglass: Okay, let's play. Your nails are dry now.
Mama: Thanks Douglass. My son is a little son of a bitch, always giving me a hard time.
We dealt the cards and Mama glared at me belting out "After You've Gone" changing the words (of course) to "After I'm Gone."
Oh yeah, just another day at the spa.
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