Why this came about, I have no idea.
But we put ourselves out there on SoulCast, don't we?
I guess here is my chance.
Maybe it is all those posts about the past tonight that I saw. Who knows? Who cares? Least of all me.
Or maybe I do. Or else why would I be writing this?
I grew up raised by a mom with five kids, including me as the youngest, in a poor and rural environment. I went to school finally--and that is when I learned that other kids had "fathers."
The only thing I remember about mine is pretty much what I heard through hearsay. He left when I was about four.
I remember him bringing us new shoes--driving up in a big tan Buick.
I recall hearing that he worked at the place where they turned corn into popcorn.
I saw him, occasionally, when we went to town. My mom would point and say, "There's your damned old daddy." (I would crane my neck and look really hard)
I was in his house once, when he was in the hospital. I got forced into going over there and helping "clean." I got sick, and refused to do anything at all. I got sent back to the car to wait in the driveway.
I saw him in the hospital just before he died.
He woke up from a near coma, and asked, "Wombat, is that you?" when I was standing in the doorway to the room.
I said, "Yes, it's me."
He smiled, best I can remember. He passed away shortly after.
I was almost 6 months pregnant at the time.
I went to the funeral, and even ended up driving one of the vehicles with my sisters and mom inside.
Then I left. As it happens, I was on my way to Germany, and I went.
Several months later I got a check from his will.
I still don't know who the popcorn man was.
But I think he knew me.....
