"I never thought about you that way."

Why do you dance on the backs of June bugs?

Just to hear them crack? 

You're rather mean, you know.

"No, It's nothing personal towards them. 

I'm just making believe they are you."

Why me?

"Because you love her and not me."

I don't understand, what do you mean?

"Because every time you wanted to do something and she didn't. You came to me."

"When you had your cello concert, she didn't go, I did!

I'm the one who stood up and yelled Bravo at the end.

Not realizing that wasn't the right thing to do.

And You simply blew a kiss in my direction and laughed.

See, you're still smiling."

"Remember when you wanted to go see the Three Dog Night in concert, and she didn't. Because she had something more important to do. I went with you!" 

"She wasn't there when someone handed you a toilet paper roll to throw onto the field during the concert. And you had to do them one better. You unrolled it and lit the end on fire throwing it onto the field. It looked like a comet streaking across the night sky towards the stage. Where was she? Not there! I was there when the cops came looking for you. I'm the one who stood up yelling "I did it! I did it!" thinking they were going to take you from me. Where was she? Not there!' 

"And what about when you wanted to go see your great French Mime Marcel Marceau. Who went with you? Not her! I Don't even like Mime's I think they are a little creepy. But who sat beside you and clapped at his performance. Who sat and watched your hands preform their own mime as if you were on the stage beside of him. I did! Not her!" 

"So, why don't you go party the night away with her.

and the summer as well, then off to college, leaving me here. Don't look at me that way I'm not crazy.

Besides, I have more June bugs to kill."

Would you please hold still and stop killing those damn June bugs. Please, please listen to me. I came back to find you.

Because when I was on the podium getting my diploma, I looked out and saw my parents. But I mostly saw you right in the front jumping up and down yelling Bravo, Bravo, clapping like a mime. I suddenly realized who I loved, and why.

Why are you crying? 

"Because you made me murder all those June Bugs.

God will be mad at me for murdering his creation."

Don't worry, you have nothing to worry about from God.

He's done worse, just standing by doing nothing, while death visited the innocent.

Now, I see some cardboard over there and a milk carton. We'll scrape them up and put them in the milk carton.

"Then what?"

Well, we'll go bury them by the Cinder track.

They'll be back next year.

"What do you mean?"

They're full of eggs, you just started their life cycle early, that's all. There I think we got them all.

Now hold my hand, and we'll do a Madi Gra death march to the Cinder track. We'll celebrate their passing and their renewed life cycle.

"You know, this is why I've always loved you."

What you don't realize without your love, I would be nothing... absolutely nothing. 

Now hold onto me, I need you, I want you to walk with me forever... I love you! 

"I love you too!"

I know!

   

  

Reviews

[Davidgeo]

People be totally crazy these days. It was amusing for a second but, now it's disturbing. I assume that's what you're getting at, I usually misinterpret poetry and am pretty bad at technically reviewing things.

[Randall]

Thanks, David. Your review is fine by me. Imagine if we all thought alike and could interpret all that was said. What a bunch of snobish bores we would be.

Randall...

[Davidgeo]

1984 is a helluva book. It's not supposed to become real. Let's be careful and if necessary dangerous. If the midterm elections get suspended for any reason, sigh... I'm probably just going to move to mexico. This country sucks.

[Randall]

Have faith, David. Things may change soon.

[Curly Grace]

Your June‑bug story is sharp, strange, and unexpectedly tender. The humor, the jealousy, the memories. You turn all of it into a confession that feels alive. The graduation moment hits beautifully, and the ending stays with me long after reading it.

[Randall]

Thank you, Curly Grace. True story, or as true as we writers choose to write them. The girl in this story is the very same girl who brought me morning coffee made the French way. I once asked her if she still dances on the backs of June Bugs? Her answer, you have no proof! I said, But I know where the June Bugs are buried. She said don't you think I dug them up years ago and spread their little carcasses all over the field. Yes, but remember, they all had eggs. And now there are thousands upon thousands of Witness June Bugs. Yes, and you are a crazy Mime, who will believe you. I said you're right, all that matters is that you and I know the truth. We still circle around and talk to one another. I'll have to ask her about the June Bugs again someday. I'm sure her response will be, shsssssssss! and a smile.

Randall...

[Curly Grace]

There’s something in the way you tell these stories, the circling, the memory, the quiet ache under the humor — that feels woven from the same cloth as your novel. The June Bugs, the teasing, the history you two carry… it all reads like another thread in that larger tapestry you’ve been stitching for years.