Mother in evening dress and mink hugs me. Chanel No. 5 and a hint of dead animal deliver separation.

Her hand stroking my face bestows Jergen’s lotion, a thread of connection as she closes the door.

Alone in bed, I stargaze and clutch Snoopy, whose fur smells only of me.

Beth keeps her Winnie-the-Pooh blanket in her safe deposit box next to a Confederate dollar bill.  You can find her blog at www.sideglimpses.com.