Just Checking In

Just Checking In

Father: Hello?

Maya: Hey Dad! How are ya?

Father: Maya! Glad you called.

Maya: Just checking in . . . How are things going?

Father: Well, to tell the truth, we’re having a rough time of it.

Maya: What’s happening?

Father: Well, your mother is feeling a bit under the weather.

Maya: Oh no. . . .

Father: Don’t worry, she’s caught a bug is all.

Maya: I hope she gets over it soon.

Father: Seems like a 24-hour thing . . . She’ll be back on her feet in a day or so, I think.

Maya: That’s good. I’m sorry I haven’t called in a few weeks. I was so far behind in my schoolwork, it took me some time to get up to speed for my midterms.What’s been going on at home?

Father: Your mother and I were planning on calling you today to give you some bad news.

Maya: What happened?

Father: Your great uncle Bill just passed away.

Maya: You’re kidding! I talked to him only two weeks ago . . . He seemed fine.

Father: Yeah, we were sure he would pull through. But he got an infection, and his health took a nosedive. He went downhill fast.

Maya: This is terrible.

Father: It caught everyone off-guard. Your aunt Helen said one day he was fine; the next day he was gone.

Maya: I can’t believe this. . . . And how is Aunt Helen taking it?

Father: You know your aunt—she’s hanging in there. But she’s up to her neck in bills.

Maya: I can imagine . . . what with the funeral and all.

Father: Not just that. Hospital, doctors, medication. It costs a pretty penny these days. But your aunt says it was worth every dime . . . She said the folks at the hospital bent over backwards to make them feel comfortable and at home. And Uncle Bill didn’t suffer very much. He was smiling right up to the end.

Maya: Is there anything I can do?

Father: You might want to call your cousin. It seems this is taking a big toll on Jackie. Your aunt says she’s not eating and won’t talk to anyone.

Maya: You think she’ll talk to me if I call?

Father: It’s worth a shot.

Maya: All right. Is there anything else?

Father: Yes, we’ll be paying our respects this Friday. Do you think you can catch a flight home?

Maya: I don’t have Friday classes, and I’ll take off from work. I’ll be there in the morning.

Father: Okay, give me a call with the details and I’ll come and pick you up at the airport.

Maya: Okay, I will. Bye, Dad.