Atoned

As with the most

intriguing nicknames

I never knew its explanation

but from as early as I can remember

my uncle called me Turkey Breath.

This moniker tapered off 

with the shedding of boyhood's 

naive assumptions

replaced, most times, with how

he'd address me hencforth:

Partner.

Unsure of whether 

it was a reference to Western films

upon which he'd cut his teeth

or a spillover term from his career

as a high-volume car-slinger

who understood that

taking care of business

was easier when 

the wagons were circled

or if there were other partners

in the world beyond our conversations

about which I didn't know

I see now 

albeit too late

that there was one thing

I called him in return:

Not often enough.