Me: I’ve begun the tedious process of copying and pasting you, Ants.
Anthony: Are you taking art classes? I always wanted a portrait done of me.
Me: No, no, I am finding the imagined conversations in the word document of the blog and, one by one, plonking them into a separate document which will be the heart of the book.
Anthony: I don’t really understand, but I trust you, Jules.
Me: It’s kind of fascinating, but also poignant, re-reading our conversations, Ants.
Anthony: I really hope you are not too sad any more, Jules.
Me: Well, actually, I’m not sad at all, which is wonderful!
Anthony: Oh.
Me: Sorry, of course I am a bit sad. Sometimes, but not often, I get those gulpy sobs but only in private.
Anthony: So don’t you still miss me?
Me: I mainly miss you when I read what I wrote about you before and after you died; it takes me back to that era – those years of your time in the nursing home, and before that when you were still at home and I was struggling to cope with working and looking after you and Mingy.
Anthony: I see.
Me: Have I hurt your feelings?
Anthony: From a celestial point of view, no; as a human being, yes, but it’s all right, Jules.
Me: Do you know what I miss most, Ants?
Anthony: Sex?
Me: Argh, no! I miss your laughter, your sense of humor, your upbeat, easygoing presence; I miss the way you insisted on the sink strainer being in place after doing the dishes; I miss the way you always exclaimed ‘JULES!’ when I came home from work; I miss watching little Ming fling himself onto your lap; I miss the way you loved linen tea-towels; I miss the way you polished all of the antique furniture; I miss you winding all of the clocks; I miss everything about you and me and Ming – and the way we used to all sing a little song about the three of us.
Anthony: So when are you going to get my portrait done?
Me: I guess the book will be a kind of portrait, Ants.
Anthony: No, I mean a portrait of my rugged face, Jules.
Me: Oh!
jmgoyder 
Your shared conversations are a delight, Julie. Know the book, when it is finished, will be equally compelling. Hoping that the muse is at your back for this project! 🙂
I liked this
awww