I Think Mother Knew - Both Audio and Text

“Who’s that by the casket?” I turned and quizzed my brothers, discretely, as the mourners filed in. “That’s old Jacob Wrigley,” one replied, “a friend of dad and mother’s, who, I believe, for many years has been Helping us financially. He owns the grocery store, and all of us know Mom was not that great At keeping up with monthly bills - a never ending war - And I suspect that half the food we ate Likely found its way to us - thanks to Mr. Wrigley - free of charge, ‘cause Mom would often say, “Once again our bill seems awfully small from Piggly-Wiggly, which usually is the biggest one to pay!” And Wrigley also owns - as you may know - the J. C. Penny. I’m pretty sure he helped with clothing too! In fact, except for Christmas and our birthdays, there weren’t many shirts or pants we came to own “brand new” That Jacob didn’t pull some strings to sell to her at prices that no one else in Buxton ever got! I used to think the reason that he’d always been so nice is… he knew that we were struggling…but it’s not. In truth, it never dawned on me there might be some connection between the night that Father passed away And when the help with bills began, but then - upon reflection - it seems that it began that very day. Then, a year ago, I learned that Mom had been adopted! Given up when she was only two! Lying to her child’s dad, the teenage girl had opted to move away, and so……he never knew Anything at all about her pregnancy, you see, nor learned about the baby that she’d had, And like the outcomes found in tales like this one tend to be, for years he didn’t know he was a dad! But Mrs. Kessler - Mother’s nurse - in fairly great detail, back in late December, broke the news That, as a troubled youth, he’d spent a couple years in jail, which changed his ways, and…having paid his dues… He’d set his sights on doing good, with Jesus by his side, and…focused on atoning for his sins…. Having figured out, at last, the pregnant girl had lied… he aimed at making up for - “would-have-beens”! And, given all he’s done to help us out - if nothing more than how he saved us money like he did - Each of us has many things to tell him “thank you” for, and I’m convinced that Mother - was his kid! I also think - because he’d been the victim of a lie - then went astray - which filled his heart with shame - He turned his back on every chance for telling Mother why he’d given her his help…but not his name. But I, for one -- if what I’m simply guessing at is so -- believe it’s time we ask the guy -- don’t you? I’ll bet ya’ both a tenner he’ll be thrilled to learn we know… And another five apiece that ---- Mother knew! PS: I've now got 4 new Audio-CDs to offer my poetry fans- @ 4 1/2 hours each = (62 diversely varied pieces). They’re listed on EBAY - under - “Mark Stellinga Poetry” - or available by simply contacting me at -- mark@writerofbooks.com -- should those of you who enjoy listening to poems as well as reading them - and particularly those of you who travel - care to be so entertained. (We use safe and simple - PayPal) Cheers, Mark