THE PhD's OPINION: "Click the Link Before You Puke In The Sink."
Updated: Jun 30, 2022
Click click before you get sick
Click this link before you puke in the sink
It's a Family Tradition
Click Click Before You Get Sick!
Click The Link B4 U Puke In The Sink!!
For Aunt Elgia
by Aunt Martha
We were at loggerheads.
I was hungover.
She had nothing to say.
Except. . .
"Deliciosa!"
"It’s your favorite!"
"What’s wrong?"
"Is it something to do
with that drink?
Or that bong?"
"I smelled both this morning
And despite what you may think
I know you threw up
In our kitchen -- in the sink."
"That's why we're here now --
At our favorite place --
I -- with my fajitas,
You, that look on your face."
More soda!
More cheese dip!
More quacamole!
More chips!
"I'm sorry you can't enjoy this.
Won't you just take a sip?"
"See what you're missing out on?
Did you have 'fun' last night?
I hope it was worth it.
Won't you just take a bite?"
"You want to go home now?
It's Casa Gallardo 'til I'm through.
Mi Casa su Casa!!
I don't care if you spew."
"Your single mom was too tired --
Working night and day --
To deal with your nonsense
As I am today."
"More onions!
More fish tacos!
More peppers!
More shrimp!"
I was shaking--
Hunched over.
I was mute.
I was limp.
"How do you feel in the morning?
Give it one good, long think!
I hope you'll remember
Before you take your next drink."
My innards were churning.
My mind -- it raced.
My head it was pounding,
Get me out of this place!!!
I feel it coming.
I lurch and swallow hard
I thought I could make it,
But. . .
I puked in the yard.
I can laugh about it now. That was my Auntie Elgia and me. Elgia Mendoza Rivera Latham. When I was 16 I was sent to live with Aunt Elgia and Uncle Bob (my mother's brother) in Thonotosassa Florida. I was in 11th grade and went to King High School there.I was a beast of a burden to them, and Aunt Elgia and Uncle Bob never once yelled at or shamed me or made me feel stupid or ugly or promiscuous (which I was). Not once! I quit abusing all substances when I was with them, and Auntie Elgia taught me to cook. She died at 3:30 a.m. today. I found out this morning when I reached for the phone at about 9:30 a.m. God rest that woman's soul. The only thing she and Uncle Bob (Friend) could've done better is take me to an AA Meeting. I didn't find AA until 20 years later.
This is True Story.
I had a dream last night. I told my partner about it (before I knew Auntie Elgia had died) because it was the first good dream I remember having in years. (I have many recurring nightmares about old trauma related to an accident my sister had that I witnessed.) This dream was good and joyous and new. It was a first--person dream. I was with my current partner. We were exploring a huge house together. It was a huge, funky, ancient house. It was so big we could choose to see each other when wanted but could otherwise be alone. Somehow, every room had a porch with a view to cobblestone and brick streets -- like Charleston, SC. My brother, my sister and I had all renovated that house together- -- and this is the best part -- we were all moving in together -- to live together -- in that huge, funky, ancient house. I think that's where Auntie Elgia and Uncle Bob are right now. They'll be together at Arlington and there, too.
