You Rang?

You. Have. Fifty. Seven. Voice messages. First voice message. *beep*

"Jackie, it's your mom. When you and Tom get home, give me a ring. Okay? Okay, talk soon. Love you, bye."

*click* *whir* *click*

"Jackie, it's your mom. I was hoping you'd be home by now, but I guess not. Give me a call when you get in. Alright? Okay, talk later. Love you, bye."

*click* *whir* *click*

"Jackie, it's your mom again. Hi, I wanted to ask you a question but it's not really that important, it can wait. Do you and Tom work today? Nevermind, it's Sunday. Did you go to Mass? I didn't see you there. Okay, talk later. Bye."

*click* *whir* *click*

"Jackie, it's mom. It's about eleven thirty-ish. Are you eating lunch? I had a chicken salad on Rye from the deli in that new grocer down the street from me. Never again, let me tell you. It tasted like tuna, looked like chicken. I don't know... Give me a ring when you can. Bye."

*click* *whir* *click*

"Jackie, it's mom. I just talked to Stella, my neighbor, who talked to Tom's cousin's nephew, who said you were spending Christmas with his family this year. Notice my heartbreak when I had to hear from the gossip next door. When was I to know? Christmas? Give me a call, even though I no longer need to ask you the question I needed to ask you. Bye."

Fifty-five messages later...

"Jackie, are you there? Pick up, if you are. I want to discuss Christmas Eve, you can come over, your sisters will be here with the grandbabies. We'll have a simple dinner and open presents. I picked out the cutest sweater for baby Milly. Okay, bye."

*click* *whir* *click*

"Jackie? Jackie! Hello? Pick up the phone, dear. It's your mother... Jackie? Tom? *unintelligible mumbling* Where could they be?"

*whir* End of messages. *click*

"Jackie, your mom called."

"Oh? What did she want?"

"She wants you to call her back."