This was the second assignment about food. We had to write about a strong memory we had that was associated with food.

There was a funeral when I was young, but I can’t remember how long ago or who had died. I remember that we were dressed up, as children, and that my mother’s side of the extended family was meeting us. The group was meeting after the funeral for food, and for family company.

I don’t remember crying, or sadness. I remember it being overcast and drizzly, as funeral days always seem to be for my family. I don’t remember who arranged to meet at the restaurant that we met at, which is odd, because I remember that being difficult.

We met at Tony’s of Birch Run, and I could see outside from my seat. They had moved several tables next to each other to seat all of us together, and the cousins all sat in a group. There were moments of quiet, and moments of reflection, but I was young enough not to notice and not to understand.

I remember the chocolate shake, and that it was enormous. I remember that it was so big that they poured it into a to go cup for me. I remember that it was so thick that the straw would collapse when I sucked on it really hard.

And yet, I still can’t remember who had died.