AFTERWORD

I was finally able to move from the area in mid-July, 1987. My house was valued at $6,000.00 and I would owe, between the realtor's fees to sell it at $6,000.00 and what was owed with accrued interest, $7,200.00. I let it be repossessed. By then my frig/freezer had quit working again and I was using the small frig in the garage, my stove had developed a gas leak and was unusable, my dryer no longer heated to dry clothes, my dishwasher quit working and flooded the house when used, the clothes washer was still usable by turning the main water valve on and off to fill the washer tub, and my car still had first and second gears. Both my dogs were deceased. I was working five parttime jobs and the seat in my 1984 purchased bathrobe was becoming threadbare, but still kept me warm. My Mom and Dad's house sold for $18,500.00, minus realtor's fees. I paid to have Mom and Dad's remains buried, finally. I left with my cat and less than $11,000.00, and I've never looked back.

My face will fill again and my cheeks won't be hollowed.
My shoulders will straighten; my attitude will be aggressive.
I will dance in the rain and appear yuppish 'tho I'm older.
As I turn my collar to the wind, no one knows
Or is alive to remember, but me, and my smirk
Will become a knowing smile, and I'll thrive.
It's over! But what of the human waste?
History doesn't repeat itself, does it?