Scarborough Seniors Write Anthology 2017

stumble through the parts of wise older woman, recalcitrant child, and inveterate storyteller.

I have developed an array of diversionary tactics to avoid the question, “How have you been doing with your flossing since I saw you last?� Instead of answering, I launch immediately into complaints of the weather, and feel badly because I know she must be bored. Then I turn to the exploits of my grandchildren. Who would be so uncouth as to interrupt my flow of chatter?

Certainly not Sandra. Out of politeness, I do allow her a little time to tell me about watering parched plants and walking her dog. My coat is hung up, my bag safely stowed, I recline in the chair with a bib around my neck and the conversation starts to flag.

The dreaded question is about to be broached.

I recall past responses that usually begin with a prologue of how all went well the first few weeks, in an attempt to garner at least some credit for initial effort. This is followed by the bad news of how I fell off the wagon, like the dieter who impulsively ate the cream-filled donut; I explain that having missed one flossing I gave in to a losing battle. There is a variation on this theme that plays on perfectionism and procrastination.

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