Captain Kirk's Table

My aunt bought this table in the late 60's or early 70's. It has a smoky glass tabletop with a silver base and black acrylic chairs, white leather seats and silver bases, too. She can't remember exactly when it was purchased but the first time I saw it, I loved it. We went to her house for lunch when my grandmother was hospitalized at Emory. She served chip dip. I'd never had chip dip and I'd never sat at that table before. It was Christmas time and my grandmother died the day before my ninth birthday. Again, I sat at the table and ate sandwiches and french onion dip with potato chips. I remember watching someone's little yorkie jump on my dangling feet through the glass. We were estranged from my dad's family and I'd never known his mom very well. My memories of her illness and death aren't sad. They are full of a strange type of wonder at this table, this life, these people I'd never really known.

The night we moved this table in, Joe and I stood in the doorway and looked at it together. I was very happy and excited to finally have it and was imagining what it would look like after we removed my mother's wallpaper and applied the paint treatment that I wanted. I was so pleased. I thought we were having a moment. Until Joe looked over at me and asked if Captain Kirk knew I had his table.

*Note: My eccentric aunt made a pact about fifty years ago with a friend that if either of them were single and could no longer care for themselves, they would move in with the other. Well, my aunt is doing just fine but her friend is 89 years old and you guessed it, no longer able to stay alone. My aunt gave us every piece of furniture in her entire house to make way for her friend's furniture and belongings.