How I Loved Florrie Palmer - March 24, 2025

twenty-year widow

Navy captain’s wife

a serious, short rod of a woman

Florrie was my mom’s best friend

we did a thing where I’d drop

to my knees to deliver a hug

challenged to crack her serious shell

a victory being a quiet husky laugh

at dinner once, I “interviewed”

her with a watermelon rind

turned microphone, asking about

the time she met her husband

Did she feel an electric charge?

How high were the heels she was wearing?

Was sweat beading on her upper lip?

a head-shaking giggle

then, I hit her with this one

So, how many years were you a fashion model?

that brought tears with her laughter

as she grabbed my arm, slapped

away the watermelon and

put her head on my shoulder

you really had to be there

watching ninety-one turn nine