Xanadu

It looks like I have plans on the grassy knoll this Sunday.

Mrs. Buckner

When I was in elementary school we lived near a reclusive staunch Jewish woman who was an artist. Mrs. Buckner was very private, lived in a dark home and always answered the door the same way by saying, "What do you want?" with her hand on her hip. Every Friday was cookie day. She made chocolate chip cookies, oatmeal raisin, and peanut butter. My friends and I looked forward to this event on the way home from our after-school "Young Astronauts" program. You had to go to the back door by her kitchen which made it feel even more exclusive. Over the years the abrasive "What do you want?" started to sound friendly and she made cookies for as long as she was able. One day I heard she was sick, so I dug up flowers from my mom's flower garden, put them in mason jars and brought them to her front door. I was greeted with the same "what do you want?" then she started to cry. I didn't know what to do so I left the flowers on her doorstep and ran. When she became too old and ill to make cookies, she still answered the back door. If there were no cookies, she would make you a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Mrs. Bucker was one cool bitch and I want to be her someday. The crazy artist. Hopefully not reclusive. Hopefully my significant other does not leave me through an unexpected death that devastates. Hopefully I will not live in a dark dingy house. It were once operating and less sad home. And one day, hopefully, I will make cookies for people and greet them however I damn feel because Mrs. Buckner made us all feel just a little more special.