Gloria Has Questions
by Dominic Loise
Gloria hated liver, but it was the closest thing in the refrigerator to brains. She grabbed it, cooking twine and two snack cakes. The vacuum sealed treats were for her. Then, Gloria exited through the backdoor of the kitchen to the garden. Balancing her items, Gloria made her way up the ladder already unfolded next to her neighbor’s fence smashing some of her mother’s perennials.
Setting herself at the top of the ladder, Gloria steadied herself for the sliminess of unwrapping the liver from the cling wrap. She tied an end of the twine to the refrigerated meat and unraveled the spool before casting the liver over to the neighbor’s side of the fence. At first, the organ meat didn’t land by the neighbor’s shed as Gloria aimed. So, she pulled the cooking twine back for another throw. Then, she unwrapped the first of the snack cakes and waited. Before she could take her second bite of cream encased sponge cake, there was a strong tug on the twine. Gloria quickly wrapped both her hands around the strung and dug her feet into the ladder. The snack cakes fell into her mother’s perennials. And Gloria landed on the neighbor’s side of the fence.
Setting herself at the top of the ladder, Gloria steadied herself for the sliminess of unwrapping the liver from the cling wrap. She tied an end of the twine to the refrigerated meat and unraveled the spool before casting the liver over to the neighbor’s side of the fence. At first, the organ meat didn’t land by the neighbor’s shed as Gloria aimed. So, she pulled the cooking twine back for another throw. Then, she unwrapped the first of the snack cakes and waited. Before she could take her second bite of cream encased sponge cake, there was a strong tug on the twine. Gloria quickly wrapped both her hands around the strung and dug her feet into the ladder. The snack cakes fell into her mother’s perennials. And Gloria landed on the neighbor’s side of the fence.
The scent of the liver had slowly made it into the MacKellroy’s tool shed. It was a dimmed pungent smell. The liver was cold and was no longer filtering blood, but the smell was enough to wake the dead. That’s what the smell did as the MacKellroy’s uncle slowly shambled out of the shed towards the liver. Uncle Dustin’s rotting jaw encased the liver finding disappointment in the lack of life and the refrigerator’s chill. Thinking the twine was a sucked-dry intestine, Uncle Dustin twanged and sniffed at the thin rope before giving a solid tug hoping to find it connected to a fresher source of meat, which it was.
Young Gloria had thought Dustin MacKellroy would enjoy the makeshift fishing game. That it would make him happy. The only pictures that the MacKellroys had of their Uncle Dustin were of him at the family lake house showing off his latest freshwater catch. In the backyard, Gloria never saw Uncle Dustin happy. She only saw him shuffle along slowly across the back lawn unless one of the MacKellroys came home to feed him. Then, Gloria would see him perk up.
On the other side of the fence, Gloria saw her game gone wrong. She saw Uncle Dustin ravenous. For once she wished she was back on the playground where she knew her way out of a bad situation. Gloria’s classmates had given her plenty of rough housing, but nothing hurt like the twine digging into her skin as she was drug across the lawn. Gloria wished it was school where she could easily raise a hand as she called out for a teacher to hear her plea to stop the bullying. She felt her cries drowned out in the open space of the backyards.
Uncle Dustin slowly moaned like a junkyard dog about to awaken into a bark. His eyes yellowed with disease focused on Gloria as he pulled the twine hand over hand. Slower than any of his shambles across the lawn was a dry tongue passing his lips with a memory of moisture. A dried out and decayed tongue over peeled-back lips as if exploded by desert heatstroke. Before Uncle Dustin’s tongue could take another pass, the ladder flew over Gloria’s head and dislocated Uncle Dustin’s head from the rest of his body.
Gloria couldn’t stop screaming to look behind her; because of the beheading, because Uncle Dustin’s muscle memory was still pulling her toward his decapitated body, and because she couldn’t figure out how her game went so horribly wrong. She didn’t hear her father hop over the fence and had just snapped out of it when she saw his heavy motor grease stained work boot step on the cooking twine. As Gloria unraveled herself, she couldn’t meet her father’s gaze as she rubbed both her arms.
“March, you have some explaining to do,” ordered Gloria’s father as he pointed to their fence leading out of the MacKellroy’s backyard gate.
Young Gloria had thought Dustin MacKellroy would enjoy the makeshift fishing game. That it would make him happy. The only pictures that the MacKellroys had of their Uncle Dustin were of him at the family lake house showing off his latest freshwater catch. In the backyard, Gloria never saw Uncle Dustin happy. She only saw him shuffle along slowly across the back lawn unless one of the MacKellroys came home to feed him. Then, Gloria would see him perk up.
On the other side of the fence, Gloria saw her game gone wrong. She saw Uncle Dustin ravenous. For once she wished she was back on the playground where she knew her way out of a bad situation. Gloria’s classmates had given her plenty of rough housing, but nothing hurt like the twine digging into her skin as she was drug across the lawn. Gloria wished it was school where she could easily raise a hand as she called out for a teacher to hear her plea to stop the bullying. She felt her cries drowned out in the open space of the backyards.
Uncle Dustin slowly moaned like a junkyard dog about to awaken into a bark. His eyes yellowed with disease focused on Gloria as he pulled the twine hand over hand. Slower than any of his shambles across the lawn was a dry tongue passing his lips with a memory of moisture. A dried out and decayed tongue over peeled-back lips as if exploded by desert heatstroke. Before Uncle Dustin’s tongue could take another pass, the ladder flew over Gloria’s head and dislocated Uncle Dustin’s head from the rest of his body.
Gloria couldn’t stop screaming to look behind her; because of the beheading, because Uncle Dustin’s muscle memory was still pulling her toward his decapitated body, and because she couldn’t figure out how her game went so horribly wrong. She didn’t hear her father hop over the fence and had just snapped out of it when she saw his heavy motor grease stained work boot step on the cooking twine. As Gloria unraveled herself, she couldn’t meet her father’s gaze as she rubbed both her arms.
“March, you have some explaining to do,” ordered Gloria’s father as he pointed to their fence leading out of the MacKellroy’s backyard gate.
“We are so––just so very thankful that you are both safe,” said Mr. MacKellroy as he leaned over to grab a fresh cup of coffee brought in from Mrs. MacKellroy.
Gloria’s father had politely refused the offer of coffee hoping to make the stay as short as possible. Gloria was nervously chewing a fresh baked Snickerdoodle trying not to get crumbs on the neighbor’s couch.
“We also feel blessed that Uncle Dustin’s Second Passing was through an innocent like yourself Gloria.”
“Gloria, would you honor us with taking part in our Uncle Dustin’s Second Returning Ceremony tomorrow?” asked Mrs. MacKellroy then caught herself when a narrowed glance from her husband let her know she had spoken out of turn.
“Yes, would you?” Mr. MacKellroy reaffirmed the question as his wife disappeared into the kitchen. Gloria looked at her own father before answering.
“Uh, sure. Gloria will be there. We better head off. Uh, you both have a lot to prepare before tomorrow. Thank you as always for your hospitality!” Gloria’s father exited, trying to make sure Mrs. MacKellroy heard from the kitchen, As Ken MacKellroy closed his front door with a wave, the MacKellroy’s Revelers’ symbol swung like a pendulum from its nail on the door, like an angular hand.
Gloria gave a sigh of relief.
“You’re not out of the woods yet, Kiddo,” huffed Gloria’s father. Gloria slowly looked up to meet his eyes, slower than any movement Uncle Dustin ever made. “We still have to explain to your mother what happened to her perennials,” he winked.
Gloria’s father had politely refused the offer of coffee hoping to make the stay as short as possible. Gloria was nervously chewing a fresh baked Snickerdoodle trying not to get crumbs on the neighbor’s couch.
“We also feel blessed that Uncle Dustin’s Second Passing was through an innocent like yourself Gloria.”
“Gloria, would you honor us with taking part in our Uncle Dustin’s Second Returning Ceremony tomorrow?” asked Mrs. MacKellroy then caught herself when a narrowed glance from her husband let her know she had spoken out of turn.
“Yes, would you?” Mr. MacKellroy reaffirmed the question as his wife disappeared into the kitchen. Gloria looked at her own father before answering.
“Uh, sure. Gloria will be there. We better head off. Uh, you both have a lot to prepare before tomorrow. Thank you as always for your hospitality!” Gloria’s father exited, trying to make sure Mrs. MacKellroy heard from the kitchen, As Ken MacKellroy closed his front door with a wave, the MacKellroy’s Revelers’ symbol swung like a pendulum from its nail on the door, like an angular hand.
Gloria gave a sigh of relief.
“You’re not out of the woods yet, Kiddo,” huffed Gloria’s father. Gloria slowly looked up to meet his eyes, slower than any movement Uncle Dustin ever made. “We still have to explain to your mother what happened to her perennials,” he winked.
“I never heard of such a thing!” Gloria heard her mother exclaim, wooden hairbrush in hand. She gave Gloria’s hair another stern brush and checked her daughter’s reflection in the bedroom vanity mirror. Gloria sat silently in her Sunday best waiting to be released over to the MacKellroys for Uncle Dustin’s Second Returning. “You just remember how you were raised,” Gloria’s mother reminded her. “You’ll be taking Confirmation next year.” Gloria’s mother put down the hairbrush and went to her jewelry box. Gloria opened her eyes from the tugging of the hairdo. Her mother paused and then brought out the crucifix she only wore on special masses and put it on Gloria. “Don’t let those Revelers put any ideas in your head and keep your dress clean.”
Gloria wasn’t cold as she buttoned up her sweater. The bonfire in the MacKellroy’s backyard gave off enough heat. It was the discomfort of her mother’s crucifix on her during the ceremony. So, as Mr. MacKellroy gave his sermon, she slowly buttoned the sweater from the top down.
“Oh, Lord!” bellowed Mr. MacKellroy, “We know we are not worthy. That is why you did not select us amongst your flock to be herded up into The Rapture. So we must make out the remainder of our days here on Earth until the End of Days...”
Gloria tried to make sense of what he was saying but was distracted by local family and friends who were taking turns circling the bonfire and adding what Gloria figured out was Uncle Dustin’s body parts to the flames.
“...'til the Day of the Great Beast. We are yours, Oh, Lord, the Eternally Passed Over.”
As Mr. MacKellroy closed his leather-bound text, Mrs. MacKellroy handed Gloria a wicker basket with Uncle Dustin’s head inside and motioned for her to throw it into the bonfire. Mr. MacKellroy also gave Gloria an encouraging nod.
“Oh, Lord!” bellowed Mr. MacKellroy, “We know we are not worthy. That is why you did not select us amongst your flock to be herded up into The Rapture. So we must make out the remainder of our days here on Earth until the End of Days...”
Gloria tried to make sense of what he was saying but was distracted by local family and friends who were taking turns circling the bonfire and adding what Gloria figured out was Uncle Dustin’s body parts to the flames.
“...'til the Day of the Great Beast. We are yours, Oh, Lord, the Eternally Passed Over.”
As Mr. MacKellroy closed his leather-bound text, Mrs. MacKellroy handed Gloria a wicker basket with Uncle Dustin’s head inside and motioned for her to throw it into the bonfire. Mr. MacKellroy also gave Gloria an encouraging nod.
The family and friends had moved their way into the MacKellroy’s home after the ceremony. Gloria quietly kept Mr. MacKellroy company by his barbecue grill. She stared out at the bonfire dimming to char and embers in the yard.
“How do you like your hamburgers done, Gloria?” asked Mr. MacKellroy.
“Oh, I should probably be getting home for Sunday dinner with my parents,” replied Gloria in a distracted tone, not taking her eyes off the service area of the backyard.
Mr. MacKellroy tapped the kitchen window with his beer bottle, shook his head no and then pointed to Gloria.
“Well, before you take off, Mrs. MacKellroy and I have a thank you present for being part of the day,” beamed Mr. MacKellroy. Mrs. MacKellroy arrived outside straightening her dress with one hand as she held in the other hand a new hardcover book with gold ribbon across it.
“Now, we figure you might have some questions about today. I know I found my copy of this book very helpful when I was your age.” offered Mrs. MacKellroy with a smile. Through the ribbon, Gloria could read the title: An Illustrated Revelations Bible.
“Thank you,” replied Gloria, mesmerized by the events of the day.
“And maybe just keep this gift between us,” said Mr. MacKellroy with a wink as he pointed to Gloria fiddling with her mother’s crucifix.
“How do you like your hamburgers done, Gloria?” asked Mr. MacKellroy.
“Oh, I should probably be getting home for Sunday dinner with my parents,” replied Gloria in a distracted tone, not taking her eyes off the service area of the backyard.
Mr. MacKellroy tapped the kitchen window with his beer bottle, shook his head no and then pointed to Gloria.
“Well, before you take off, Mrs. MacKellroy and I have a thank you present for being part of the day,” beamed Mr. MacKellroy. Mrs. MacKellroy arrived outside straightening her dress with one hand as she held in the other hand a new hardcover book with gold ribbon across it.
“Now, we figure you might have some questions about today. I know I found my copy of this book very helpful when I was your age.” offered Mrs. MacKellroy with a smile. Through the ribbon, Gloria could read the title: An Illustrated Revelations Bible.
“Thank you,” replied Gloria, mesmerized by the events of the day.
“And maybe just keep this gift between us,” said Mr. MacKellroy with a wink as he pointed to Gloria fiddling with her mother’s crucifix.
“I don’t want to have to call you again, young lady!” scolded Gloria’s father from the bottom of the stairs.
“I was just... making sure my dress was hung nice so it wouldn’t wrinkle,” lied Gloria as she rushed down from her bedroom to start setting the table.
“Well, that’s a first!” praised her mother. Now, Gloria knew she would need to both quickly amend the falsehood after dinner and find a better hiding place for the book.
While Gloria’s parents were both in the kitchen, she took advantage of not having to look them in the eye to ask something on her mind all day. Gloria waited until she was placing the table setting which would have her back to the kitchen door, as the extra safeguard to being separated from them in the dining room wasn’t enough distance for her.
“Why didn’t we give Grandma the chance to stay risen?” Gloria asked her parents.
Without thinking, her father replied, “She was so mean when she was alive; I would have put the bullet between her eyes if I could...” A kitchen cabinet door slammed before he could finish his standard mother-in-law joke.
“I knew she was going to get ideas!” Gloria’s mother shouted. “Harry, tell that little girl I can’t even look at her right now. You want to know never-ending hunger, Gloria? Upstairs.”
“Come on, Gloria. Upstairs,” reinforced her father, knowing he didn’t help the situation.
Gloria went to her room without dinner but with enough time to hang up the dress.
“I was just... making sure my dress was hung nice so it wouldn’t wrinkle,” lied Gloria as she rushed down from her bedroom to start setting the table.
“Well, that’s a first!” praised her mother. Now, Gloria knew she would need to both quickly amend the falsehood after dinner and find a better hiding place for the book.
While Gloria’s parents were both in the kitchen, she took advantage of not having to look them in the eye to ask something on her mind all day. Gloria waited until she was placing the table setting which would have her back to the kitchen door, as the extra safeguard to being separated from them in the dining room wasn’t enough distance for her.
“Why didn’t we give Grandma the chance to stay risen?” Gloria asked her parents.
Without thinking, her father replied, “She was so mean when she was alive; I would have put the bullet between her eyes if I could...” A kitchen cabinet door slammed before he could finish his standard mother-in-law joke.
“I knew she was going to get ideas!” Gloria’s mother shouted. “Harry, tell that little girl I can’t even look at her right now. You want to know never-ending hunger, Gloria? Upstairs.”
“Come on, Gloria. Upstairs,” reinforced her father, knowing he didn’t help the situation.
Gloria went to her room without dinner but with enough time to hang up the dress.
Gloria’s mother meant to surprise her daughter with the dinner plate she brought up, but her audible shock was heard as she opened the bedroom door and caught Gloria reading the book from the MacKellroys.
“Give that to me. Bringing that into this home––what were you thinking?” punished her mother as Gloria walked over from her desk handing over the book. “Tomorrow, we go to church and have you talk with Father Kolwalski!”
Gloria looked at the picture of her grandmother holding her when she was a newborn. She picked it up and asked, “Why can’t you explain it to me, Mom?”
Gloria’s mother hung her head then put the dinner plate and book on the desk as she sat down on the bed. She took the picture from Gloria and gathered her thoughts...her memories.
“She was a difficult woman. Worked to get to where she was in life, but she always looked after her family in her way. That’s how I knew what came back wasn’t her...because she would never attack family,” explained Gloria’s mother as she wiped a tear and put the picture back. She then walked over to the top shelf of Gloria’s bookshelf and picked up an old storybook about a tree. “She would read this to you every night just like she used to with me when I was young. Now eat up.” Gloria’s mother walked for the door with the MacKellroy’s book. “She’d want you to focus on the living.”
“Give that to me. Bringing that into this home––what were you thinking?” punished her mother as Gloria walked over from her desk handing over the book. “Tomorrow, we go to church and have you talk with Father Kolwalski!”
Gloria looked at the picture of her grandmother holding her when she was a newborn. She picked it up and asked, “Why can’t you explain it to me, Mom?”
Gloria’s mother hung her head then put the dinner plate and book on the desk as she sat down on the bed. She took the picture from Gloria and gathered her thoughts...her memories.
“She was a difficult woman. Worked to get to where she was in life, but she always looked after her family in her way. That’s how I knew what came back wasn’t her...because she would never attack family,” explained Gloria’s mother as she wiped a tear and put the picture back. She then walked over to the top shelf of Gloria’s bookshelf and picked up an old storybook about a tree. “She would read this to you every night just like she used to with me when I was young. Now eat up.” Gloria’s mother walked for the door with the MacKellroy’s book. “She’d want you to focus on the living.”
Gloria walked to school the next morning. In some yards, she heard birds chirping and in others she heard moaning. She also noticed how the different neighbors set up for the upcoming holiday. On the next block, a group of boys were around the base of a tree. They were inspecting a fallen nest.
“Cool! The eggs are blue!”
“Let’s see if the yolks are, too.”
One of the boys was hit in the back with a rock. They turned around to face Gloria.
“Over my dead body!”
“Cool! The eggs are blue!”
“Let’s see if the yolks are, too.”
One of the boys was hit in the back with a rock. They turned around to face Gloria.
“Over my dead body!”
Dominic Loise lives in Chicago, with his librarian wife and three book loving rabbits (thought the bunnies are more into nibbling than reading). His work has appeared on Alchemic Gold Poetry Society. When not working as a bookseller, Dominic can be found on Instagram at @dominic_lives.