I remember these horrid family gatherings, a bunch of loud people I did not know, and did not want to know. We never did see my mom's side of the family that often, thanks to dad. He did not like them either. They all smiled too much, which made me very nervous. I know now, their smiles were definitely related to that smell of alcohol on their breaths. What strange people they were.

submitted by by Josephine Fassari
Brooklyn, New York USA
August 1996