What is it you can’t grasp? he asked. Very simple. A monkey could figure it out, the boy looked up at his dad. You were never one for challenges. Shy away from them. Don’t you? the boy looked at the lawn mower harder. Seemed to look inside its soul. A Briggs & Stratton, 1979. Polished and clean, but the blade wouldn’t turn.

It’s an engine problem, the young man said. Not enough juice going to it.

Well, no shit. A woman could’ve told you that. You gotta garage full of stuff out here. Most of it doesn’t work, the old man said. Hedge clippers, Weedeater, a table saw, this stuff doesn’t work. You let em get old. All these things I’ve given you over the years have become junk. You don’t take care of anything. Don’t get me started on your marriage. They say it’ll last forever, the father shook his head.

Leave her out of this.

Told you she was no good. Leaving you. What did you do to make her mad?

Things happen.

Cheat on her?

What?

Did you cheat on her?

Stop it.

You did. I can tell. Nothing wrong with getting your dick wet. Just don’t get caught.

Irreconcilable differences, dad.

What?

We couldn’t get along anymore. We fought all the time.

No kids. That’s where you went wrong. Kids keep you together. They ground you.

Dad. What the hell are you talking about? Do you even know?

Forty-five years. Yes. I know what I’m talking about.

Were you happy?

Get out of here.

You were never home, dad. Off at the bar. Playing cards. With some other woman.

Boy. I was not. I gave you and her my soul. I provided, didn’t I?

Yeah. You provided.

Some other woman?

We all knew. Mom knew. Overnights and hotel receipts. Bills from dinners out. Who holds onto that?

They were for tax purposes, boy. Your mouth is about to overload your ass.

Right.

I can still take you out, boy. I’ll give you a whole new beating.

Just leave. Just leave.

The old man spit on the garage floor. Lit a cigarette. Said nothing.

The mower never worked.