Madeline's Last Words

Madeline's phone rang again and without looking she clicked it on assuming it was one of her children, or children-to-be. And again she was rewarded for the intuitive assumption.

"These phones drive me crazy," said Penny's voice. Madeline had to agree with her, though she was fairly certain, as certain for someone who was not that savvy on technology but knew her way around the Internet, that Penny's phone was defective. She really should send it back to the manufacturer, though Penny insisted it was fine and everything was the cell phone companies’ fault.

"What am I a going to do about Joan," asked her daughter.

Madeline realized telling her it would blow over long before Penny forgot about it, would be pointless because her daughter would not hear those words. When her mind was wrapped around something, it held on like a powerful vacuum. Unlike Madeline's husband who at the slightest provocation would leap full force to take care of his little girl, upsetting her even more, Madeline knew to just let Penny get it out of her system.

But at this moment, Madeline had her own worries, "Penny, I don't mean to change the subject (though she did), but have you heard from your brother today?"

"Nope. Not even email. But, Mom should I call Joan back and try to apologize? I can't really explain because it would make it worse." Yes, there was that famous one-track mind.

Madeline stopped her before Penny could answer her own question, “No, I am sure she will be fine. Seriously, I have not heard from Rog and he spends every Monday over here. He has not called or answered my email today.” Maybe Penny could drive over to Rog and Joan’s, make amends with Joan or at least find out what had happened to Rog. She was sure there was a good explanation. She mentioned her idea to the phone and there was that pause. It was as if the phone was a mediator.

“Fine Mom, you want me to go over there and apologize to Joan to her face, and ask ‘oh, by the way, where is that pesky brother of mine?’ I am sure she will be thrilled to see me.” Madeline recognized the tone in Penny’s voice. It was both sarcastic and meant to bring about guilt for suggesting such a thing. But truly, there were greater things happening here, like her son’s disappearance.

With a mother’s grace, she said back to the phone, “That’s right, Penny. Yes, I do think it would be a good idea to get this bad blood out of the way, and it really is important. Your brother may be in trouble. And, once you have done that perhaps you will come over here and we’ll have dinner together?”

Before there could be any remonstration, she added, “See you soon, sweets.”