[‘Tis the season for the tribe to gather: Get-Togethers, Birthdays and Christmas …]

Tribe

We had the whole tribe over last Sunday. The chief, otherwise known as “Everybody”, couldn’t make it. He’s old, and our home is too far for his scooter. But the rest of us attended.

Actually, “Somebody” couldn’t make it—headache. “Nobody” talks to them. So, why bother?

“Someone Else” deigns us with virtual presence.

‘Yeah, coming’, but never arrives.

“Another” here, but not here—“Another” headache.

So, there we were. Empty chairs and tumbleweed.

‘Where is “Everybody”?’ “Someone” who attends every party asked.

‘Told you,’ “Whoever”, the matriarch replied. ‘“Everybody” says it’s too far to come, so “Nobody’s” coming.”

© Lee-Anne Marie Kling 2026

Feature Photo: Ye ol’ Family Gathering © courtesy L.M. Kling circa 1920