“Little Bastard” — A Brief Reflection on Words and Meaning
Sometimes words don’t actually mean what you think.
Words are funny. Not necessarily “ha-ha” funny, but more “interesting” funny. They can mean different things to different people. They might sound like an insult to someone outside of a relationship, while the real “meaning” might be an intimate expression of love and affection.
Hopefully, this personal example will illustrate what I’m talking about.
Gestational Math.
“November to December … One.”
“December to January … Two.”
“February … Three.”
“March, April, May … Four, five, six.”
“Wait.”
I counted it out in my head a few more times before gathering up the courage to talk with Mama.
“You and Daddy were married in November, right?”
“Yes,” she said, not really understanding where I was going with my question.
“And I was born in May.”
She suddenly stopped what she was doing and looked down at her feet. I watched her body start to shake slightly as she stood in front of me, trying not to breathe. Huge tears slowly filled her eyes and began sliding…
