“Hi, Maga. It’s Abby.”
“WHAT.”
“IT’S ABBY!”
“Oh, hi, Abby dear. It’s so nice to hear your voice.”
At that volume? Okay, sure. “And yours,” I said.
“I’m just laying down in the bed, closing my eyes, but I’m not tired. Just taking it easy.”
“That’s what I’m doing too. But I’m on the couch instead of my bed.”
Maga chuckled lightly.
“Did you do the crossword puzzle today?” I asked.
“No. I don’t think I did.”
“Oh, okay. I know sometimes you work on it with my mom.”
“Who’s that? [Aunt J]?”
“No, it’s [C].”
“Oh, right. Yes, we do work on that together, but I don’t think we did today. It’s very satisfying when you fill in the words.”
“I bet! I’m not very good at them.”
“Where do you live?” Maga asked.
“In [town], [state].”
“Where’s that near?”
“Your alma mater.”
“Do you ever get over there?”
“I’ve visited it a few times, yes.”
“I wish I lived closer to it. It’s so lovely there with the lake and the hills and so on. I’d visit frequently if I could.”
“When’s the last time you were there?”
She paused, trying to assess when it was.
“Maybe for a reunion?” I supplied.
“Yes, most likely. I was the class of ’42, so you can kind of figure out from there what I did at that time.”
If I was better at puzzles or internet research, I’d take her up on that invitation…alas, I settled for asking questions that unfortunately can’t be answered by her wispy memories.
“Did I call you or did you call me?” Maga asked.
“I called you.”
“Well, thank you for doing so. It’s very rewarding and refreshing and what else can I say to talk to you. You can call me anytime.”
“I love talking to you, so it’s my pleasure.”
“Is it Tuesday?”
“It is,” I said.
“We’re right on schedule, then.”
Abigail Mumford 