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Abigail Thomas
Michelle Anderson
Curled up on the loveseat on a cold March day, 79 years old, I am wearing an undershirt, a long sleeved shirt, two sweaters, my purple jacket, warm pajama bottoms, my new cozy socks, and on top of everything, a blanket. I’m also standing on the median at Broadway and 112th, waiting for the light to change. It’s summer of 1978, and a middle aged woman has just spoken to me in a low voice, saying. ”You don’t have a stitch on underneath that dress, do you.” It isn’t an accusation, she isn’t scolding me. She’s a co-conspirator. I don’t remember what I said, but I’m sure I grinned. I remember that dress. It was red with tiny black polka dots, and it buttoned down the front. I bought it at Liberty house, my favorite store, long gone now. Why on earth has this popped into my head? No idea. But I’m an old woman with too many clothes on, and I’m going to spend a little time remembering that dress, when I wore it, where I took it off. It’s a lazy afternoon. I’ve got nothing better to do.
Abigail Thomas
Abigail’s books include Safekeeping; A Three Dog Life; and What Comes Next and How to Like It. She lives in Woodstock, NY.