Sheila Stahl
Family Business
We don't talk about our "Family Business."
Not to each other.
And, certainly not to you.
We don't talk about
The deceased first husband
Who killed himself in a
Drunk-driving rage.
We don't talk about
The philandering second husband
Who was known throughout the panhandle
As a drunk, gambling, womanizing opportunist.
We don't talk about
The oldest son of the first husband
Who saved his life
And, the lives of his family
By flying the crazy coop
To make a fortune in produce.
We don't talk about
The son of the second husband
Who irreparably wrecked
the life of his first wife and child.
We don't talk about
The naive and poor scholarship schoolgirl
Who saved a place in line for a sweet boy,
And, how the wolf in sheep's clothing
Took his place.
We don't talk about
How six-months into the marriage,
The son of the second husband
Brought out his fists
To beat the first wife and unborn child.
We don't talk about
The baby girl
Who was supposed to be
A boy.
We don't talk about
Church on Sundays,
Beating your wife on Mondays,
Mother plays Bridge on Tuesdays
Means molesting your daughter,
Back to church on Wednesdays
Only to be reminded of your secret sins,
Mad on Thursdays,
Leads to
Beating your wife and child on Fridays,
Saturdays sulking out a silent punishment,
Because it's for your own good.
It's my job as the man of the house.
See?
The Bible tells me so.
We don't talk about
The fists
That would never be put away
Until the first son and second wife.
We don't talk about our "Family Business."
Not to each other.
And, certainly not to you.
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