calls

I had spoken with every member of my family before 9AM  Tuesday.

outbound call to Dad at 7
inbound call from Mom at 8
inbound call from Carly at 8:45

Carly and I talked about our Aunt A calling me the night prior. She feels sad we haven't had a relationship all these years. Not personal. Time, space, life happened.

Sunday: I call home repeatedly. The calm of her voice on the other end like morphine to my sobbing body. The words "I wish you weren't so far away" and "why don't you come over for the night?" heard through many tears before.

I'm looking at myself in the mirror; red and tear-streaked, clutching the bathroom sink, I ask: "What am I going to do when you're not here?" She cries, "know I love you." Without a beat I ask, "What am I going to do with Dad?" "Take extra careful care of him."