kids

Tonight at the dinner table I told my husband about our dear friend whose ex-husband died earlier in the day. We, of course, want to support her and her children during a difficult time. It should be simple. Offered without commentary is tonight’s dinner conversation.

ME: Something terrible happened today.

MR. G: What?

ME: Our friend’s ex husband died.

Mr. G has a look of shock on his face. His mouth is open wide.

MR. G: Oh no. How?

ME: They think it was a heart attack. It was out of the blue, he hasn’t been sick or anything.

MR. G: How old was he?

ME: I don’t know exactly but mid 50’s.

ALEXANDER: [matter of factly] Well that’s in the death range.

MR. G: The what range?

ALEXANDER: The death range. You know, it’s sort of when it’s time to die.

MR. G: [horrified and bemused] When does the death range begin?

ALEXANDER: You know when people hit about 65 they start to die I guess.

MR. G: But we’re talking about a man in his 50’s that’s like 10 years earlier.

ALEXANDER: That’s why it’s a range. You get in the range to die.

I’d give you more details but according to my son I need to hurry up and buy myself a coffin.