Today
December 15, 2011
Today I got my hair did. While she was doing my hair I read two articles so I felt accomplished.
After I left I returned my mother’s phone call. I told her about how I am turning in a draft of my empirical proposal tomorrow by 5 and then I will be done with the semester and my coursework. I told her about what my paper is on and told her about my last conversation with my advisor.
She told me that she had bad news and that I shouldn’t “get excited” about it. I know it was one of those times where mom wasn’t sure of the right words to say so she said “get excited” but she meant “get so upset where I have to worry about you.” I realized then why she had first asked if I was done with all of my finals.
Then she said that Nana was in the hospital (something I knew) and that she has heart failure and renal failure. I heard her. The thought “this will be Nana’s last Christmas” hung in my head.
I was in the car and just as she was telling me I was passing a QT and noticed that gas was now 3.19/gallon and a few hours ago when I first passed that same QT gas was 3.09/gallon. I could still feel the burn on my tongue from the coffee I bought there that morning.
I told mom about the gas prices and she told me that gas was 3.17 in St. Louis. I told her I was hoping it was under $3 there because I imagine everywhere was cheaper than Atlanta prices.
I don’t know why I chose to talk about gas prices. I think she was a bit confused too but went along with it because it was nice having a normal conversation.
We had both dreaded having the one we were replacing with talking about gas prices. Every time I had a missed call from Mom in the last few years I thought about this conversation. Every time she left a message for me I listened for her tone to see if when I called back we would be having this conversation.
I didn’t have a problem with the conversation I just wanted to know when it would happen. Would I be out of town at a conference or would I be stressed out trying to write a paper or would I be drunk and dancing at a bar? Would I be in public? Would I be on the other line?
I’m happy I was in the car and I’m happy I just got my hair done.
