Being with Georgette #2

Being with Georgette #2

Georgette said, “What’s this ribbon for?”

I said, “I once took seventh place in a sheep-judging contest.”

“Sheep-judging?”

“I was just along for the ride.”

“They gave ribbons for seventh place?”

“They gave ribbons down to thirteenth.”

“How many people were there?”

“Many more than thirteen.”

“How did you know so much about sheep?”

“I listened to what the grown-ups said to look for, and I looked for it. I didn’t know as much as six other kids, though.”

***

Georgette picked up my plate and took it to the kitchen.

When she returned she said, “You should smoke a leg of lamb more often.”

I said, “Once a year for your birthday is enough.”

“Today’s not my birthday.”

“I know.”

***

As she turned off the light, Georgette said, “You were much better at judging the quality of sheep than girls. That’s one ribbon you never earned.

“No one told me what to look for.”

“Would you still make the same choice?”

“It was never a choice.”

***

Georgette started counting sheep, and I fell asleep before she reached thirteen.

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Originally published March 24, 2020


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17 thoughts on “Being with Georgette #2

  1. Violet Lentz March 15, 2025 / 4:36 am

    I love this whole series. It is so relatable, and yet retains an air of mystery. Thank you for this.

  2. DD March 15, 2025 / 2:52 pm

    Gorgeous

  3. ali redford March 15, 2025 / 9:36 pm

    Aw! I like this, too!

  4. Richard R Mallery March 15, 2025 / 9:47 pm

    The next morning she was gone……

  5. Mike Hendren March 16, 2025 / 7:58 am

    This little story resonated with me, especially, “It was never a choice.” That’s the way it was when I met my wife 56 years ago.
    Thanks for the Like at my blog.

  6. Dame March 20, 2025 / 5:22 pm

    It’s always your birthday whenever someone who loves you does something nice for you; in fact, it’s Christmas, too 😁

    If Georgette was not a choice, then, what was she? A last resort? 🤔

    • Rick Mallery March 21, 2025 / 6:05 am

      Georgette is always inevitable.

      • Dame March 21, 2025 / 6:19 am

        Wow! She sounds like a force!

  7. KingUmbhole January 14, 2026 / 6:37 am

    It takes a truly shepherdy sort of person to ‘judge sheep’ — they can easily fool ewe, you know.

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