A man who would take care of you. A man who would put his pay cheque on the table every Friday night and put his shoes under your bed. And wake up and go to church on Sunday. A man who you didn’t have to worry about that he was drinking away your mortgage or had some young little floozy calling your house. No, Aston was a good man. I miss him. I do… He took me to Niagara Falls for our thirtieth anniversary. That’s where we first met on the State side ‘cause that’s where me and my people are from. It was nice. I do miss him. (sighs) Aston gave me five beautiful kids. Gave me peace of mind… Gave me a nice home. But he never gave me that tingly feeling like Charlie. But I loved him. Still do. He was my best friend. (shakes her head) God bless him. (two beats) So where was I? Girl, it’s the memory! Oh yeah, in the kitchen. So there I was feeling all tingly in my kitchen, wanting to wipe that sweat off Charlie’s brow, thinking all kind of indecent thoughts. (getting into a sexual heat) Thinking I would like to get me some Charlie, oh what I would do with Charlie! I would put him on my kitchen table and I—(She catches herself.) Well before I knew it, I couldn’t help myself I was marching out the back door and I leaned over the fence. Batting my eyes, throwing my head back. And I said, (seductively) “Mr. Charlie (beat) would you like some of my pie?” (two beats) And Charlie looking all sweaty and hot, real hot, said, “I sure would like a slice Miss Enid. Is it still hot?” And I said, (seductively) “it’s real hot Mr. Charlie, but I’m sure it can cool down.” And before I knew it Charlie hopped the fence, oh yes he did just hop over that big tall fence and there we were on the kitchen table. I mean around the table. Me and that fence hopping man. (beat) Ok, I’m exaggerating, but hopping the fence just sounded so much more romantic. But the man seventy-eight years old. He’s got arthritis. He can barely make it up the stairs much less hop the fence. But there he was in my kitchen (beat) And we talked for hours. I poured him a long glass of ice tea. And we sat in that kitchen talking and laughing. (She laughs real laugh.) Ate the whole pie by ourselves. And Charlie leaned over and said, “Miss Enid, I do love me a woman, a big woman who ain’t afraid to eat or laugh too loud.” And I just put my head back, batted my eyes, patted my stomach and laughed real loud. And I said, “Mr. Charlie. (very slow) I do love me a man who knows how to eat some good pie.”

She laughs really loud to herself.

Lights fade.