IMOGENE’S NOTEBOOK

Cousin Lu and Me on the Bus

How to lose a pesky man in 100 words

Alison Acheson
Imogene’s Notebook
Aug 24, 2024

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He takes the seat next to me.

I scooch closer to the window, wrap my arms around the bag.
“How’s your day going?” he asks.
“Fine.” The whole bus is empty.
He shares his day — yet another, coughing up all his desires. “You just have to ask it to meet you halfway, you know.”
Mr. Positive.
“Say,” he says — afterthought — “What’s in there?”
“Oh this.” I look into the bag, at the dark green box no one else wanted to deal with. “My dad’s cousin. Her ashes.”
He stares. Turns away. Doesn’t speak again.

Takes the seat across the aisle.

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Alison Acheson
Imogene’s Notebook

Dance Me to the End: Ten Months and Ten Days With ALS--caregiving memoir. My pubs here: LIVES WELL LIVED, UNSCHOOL FOR WRITERS, and editor for WRITE & REVIEW.