2/15/15
“Hello? Oh, hi, Beth.”
“Sue! You’re OK. I’ve been calling but you haven’t answered, and since you’ve been so upset lately I had to come check.”
“Thank you, but I’m fine.”
“Can I come in?”
“What? Oh, I guess.”
“Thanks.”
“I’ve been cleaning up in the kitchen. We can talk there.”
“OK. Oh! I see what you mean. Do you need help?”
“No, I can do it. You just sit.”
“So, are you really OK?”
“All this time I’ve thought if only he were gone I’d be better off. I imagined how I’d feel if I were rid of him. But now, now, I see it isn’t true.”
“Lookout. Your roast or turkey, or whatever’s in that bag, is leaking. You’d better put it in the fridge. Do you want me to wipe that up?”
“No. I’ll take care of it.”
“Don’t leave it off ice too long. What do you have in there anyway?”
“Now I know the problem wasn’t him. It’s these thoughts I get.”
“Did he leave? Did he go somewhere?”
“He doesn’t have any family. No close friends. So there’s no one to check on him.”
“What are you talking about? Uh, Sue, what’s in that bag?”
“Friends and family are important.”
“What’s in the bag?!”
“I’m glad I have friends when I need them.”
“Yes. That’s right. I’m your friend, your best friend. But I need to go now.”
“Oh, you’re shivering. Are you cold?”
“No. Uh, yes. I’m not feeling well. I have to go.”
“Maybe I have something that’ll help.”
“No! I have to hurry. I think I’m going to be sick.”
“You’ll come back later, won’t you? Beth? Beth? Oh, I thought she’d stay longer. I thought things would be better without him. I don’t know what I’ll do now.”
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