Surprises Never End

Chapter 59 - Waiting For God Knows

August 2, 2014 - Becket, Massachusetts

Woke Peg at 9pm to see if she wanted any food (I had had popcorn and wine so was happy and full). Heated her some mushroom soup from Stew Leonard's (after pureeing it so no big unchewable chunks of mushrooms). Could not get the kitchen TV off of "NO SIGNAL" so asked if she'd perhaps like to hear a chapter of DK's memoirs, the audio book of Key Changes, while she ate (and complained about small chunks of mushrooms). The one we’d been working on in France. I knew we were onto dangerous ground but asked anyway. Dangerous because this is how Peg consistently listens to Denis' music:
"Now! I want to hear your new show! Put it on! Put it on! I can't wait!"
So we’ll put on the CD of DK's demo or latest musical or album or whatever and Peg sits down, all ears, but within two bars she's up in search of a Kleenex, a glass of ice water, her glasses, a pillow, a sweater, talking to the dog, going for a “tinkle”, and so on. While Den and I quietly (or sometimes not so quietly) seethe.

Anyhow, last night, she says "Yes! I'd love to hear it! Put it on!" as normal, so I get my laptop and find the tracks (unmastered as yet but good enough to listen to, certainly by someone who's going to be off looking for her Fixodent any minute) and we sat at the butcher block. And I pressed PLAY and on came Chapter 1.

And then a miracle occurred.

Peg stayed put. Listened. Reacted. Laughed when she was supposed to. Tittered. Tutted. Patted my arm in appreciation. Was completely engaged. Not only that, asked for more. And more. And still more. We sat there for three hours, listening to the entire first third. Not once did her attention falter. Afterwards she said how marvellous it was and how proud she was of me.

If I have ever, ever, and I do mean EVER said anything bad about my mother, ever, I take it all back, it must have been merely a temporary mental aberration. Because I mean, God. What a remarkable woman she is, so wise, so astute, so—well, perfect.

I would like to write more but am overcome and need to lie down. In fact may be having a heart attack.