Family Secret© Tony Fallon 2/25/17

Family Secret© Tony Fallon 2/25/17

Your breathing was heavy and  slow and deep

As with your head on my shoulder, you fell asleep

We were both cold and wet from the sudden rain

As we walked to the station to catch the train.

As you sat there sleeping my mind turned back the clock

Of us growing up together on the same Inwood block

I fell in love with long, long ago in your communion frock

When you agreed to come dancing it was a pleasant shock.

As soon as we had gotten to the station

I had asked the clerk for information

As to when the next train should arrive

He said “if it stays on schedule about half-past five”

I said your trains come very rarely

He said “you should come here early”

I could see I was not winning this discussion

He had a thick accent I think he was Russian

That was nearly an hour we’d have to wait for a ride

But at least the station was warmer than it was outside.

I asked if you wanted to walk four or five blocks down

Where we might catch a commuter train going uptown

You said that you would not be able to walk

From al the dancing your legs had gone into shock

Besides to get to the street we’d have to walk upstairs

And I should know that Russian wouldn’t refund our fares

You said you didn’t think you could stay awake

And would I mind very much if you took a little break

An hour later I tried to rouse you and got no cooperation

Before I got you awake the train had gone out of the station

I knew now when we got home there would be ructions

Your father had given me all kinds of threats and instructions

I’d be like a lamb being brought to the slaughter

For staying out all night with his one and only daughter

I’ll never forget your father that morning his Irish temper aflame

And you telling him to calm down that you were to blame.

You said we didn’t drink anything and we didn’t smoke

We danced the whole night away and we met really nice folk

You told him you had more fun than all the rest of your life

And if I had the courage to ask you’d gladly be my wife

Your father and I stood there both speechless and amazed combined

And your father says “you’d better ask her before she changes her mind”.

So to our four children should this family secret be disclosed?

That I didn’t ask the question it was really you who proposed