Sunday, February 16, 2014

the universal mom tone

“Listen, I can’t talk right now, “ the pretty 20-something girl behind me says into her phone. 

“I told you.  I can’t talk.  I’m on the bus.”

“I’m going to my improv class.  I go every Sunday at this time.  Don’t you remember?  I told you.”  She is now getting testy.

“I’ll call you later when I can talk.  Bye.”

It’s the impatience in her voice that’s the giveaway. 

I turn around, and with certainty ask, “Your mother, right?”  She smiles and says yes.

Are all kids like this with their mothers?

I text Alexander this afternoon. “Please call me; thx.”

Six hours later and I’m still waiting. 

  1. Could he be on a long bus ride home to surprise me?
  2. In the library studying through dinner? 
  3. Ignoring me?
  4. Or just forgotten? 
I hope for A. Expect him to say B.   But know it’s C or D.

Finally I call.  “Oh, hi," he says.  "Sorry, I forgot to call you back.  But I can't talk.  I'm with Daniel. We're about to watch a movie."  


At least when I don't hear from him I know better than to worry.  But still, I do.  I'm a mother after all.  That's what mothers do.

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