I finish setting the table with a satisfied sigh.
The forks are perfect, the knives are sharp and straight, the plates are shining and the napkins are in perfect little shapes next to the crackers.
I leave the room and help my father with the Christmas meats. Leg hams sliced thinly are lying to one side as my dad tends to the lovely roasted meat slowly turning on the fire.
He looks up at me with a sad smile and hugs me tightly.
"I wish your sister was here to enjoy this."
I too was sad that she would be missing out this year, but when the world has become even more decrepit and low on food source as it has since the outbreak, you do what you can to keep simple traditions alive… even when the meat you eat is stringy and familiar…
—
No comments:
Post a Comment