Real Men Spit Tacks

American Shield Back Victorian Settee, Eclectic, Ca. Mid-19th Century, before conservation.

Real men upholsterers spit tacks.

After all these years, it still creeps me
out a bit — I see his cheeks bulge a
specific way while he is having a
conversation with me and I’ll peer at
him as if he is under a microscope,
“Do you have tacks in your cheek?”

“Yup.”

And I repeat myself as wives
(and husbands and partners)
do when they stick around a long time,
“Aren’t you afraid you will choke on a tack?”
(Truth is I’m afraid he will choke on a tack.)

“Hasn’t happened in 40 years…”

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