“Mum, Gary here. Just thought I’d phone and see how you are.”
“Oh, hello, Gary. Nice of you to phone. I’ve been quite well you know.”
“S’pose you’ve got a busy day as usual?”
“Oh yes. There’s always something happening. Mary, from next door, has just popped in, and I’m gonna make a cuppa for us both.” She smiled as she saw Mary looking at her
“I really feel bad at times that I can’t visit you more often. But the 500 odd kilometers is a bit far to come just to pop in.”
“I know. But it’s always nice to hear from you.” She pulled a small stool out from under the coffee table, and sat.
“We’ll try to make a visit next Christmas break though. We’re really sorry we didn’t make it last Christmas. But you know teenage kids. Last year they wanted to visit Disneyland; next thing, they want to see something else, and suddenly all the time’s gone.”
“I know dear, I had children once.”
“I realise we haven’t seen you for over two years, but we’ll really try and come next Christmas. Maybe stay just long enough to take you out for dinner on your 85th birthday.”
“That’d be nice.”
“We’ll bring you something useful that you can use. I bet you’ve found the microwave handy.”
“Oh yes, I use it all the time.”
“You had so much bench space, that’s why I bought that little bench-top front-door deep freeze. A good height so you don’t have to bend down. With the sliding drawers it’s so handy to get at the stuff inside. You can buy the frozen stuff when it’s on special. Saves heaps of money. Or even freeze some of your special cooking.”
“I do use it. But the shops and the green-grocer are so close though, and you know I like fresh, and get home delivery.”
“I really wish you’d sign up for the internet and learn about email. Then the little note-book computer I gave you would be properly used. I hope you’re writing memories and family history like I asked you.”
“Oh yes. The computer’s perfect for the little coffee table with the skinny wooden legs that you bought me,” her eyes glanced over the small empty coffee-table where she was sitting.
“I know your place is always spotless, but just remember to keep it in the computer case; keeps the dust out.”
“It’s always in the case,” her eyes darted under the table to the notebook computer confirming it was in its case.
“Well Mum. Sorry. Gotta rush. We’ll probably see you in a few months. I’ll ring again soon. Say hello to Mabel for me.”
“It’s Mary.”
“Whatever. O.K Mum. Love you. Bye.”
“Bye Darling.”
“Who was that?” asked Mary.
“Just my son, Gary. As always, too busy.”
“I hear from my lot about every six weeks or so. Generally a few days after my birthday, which they always forget.”
“The same with mine. I haven’t seen them for over two and a half years.”
“My nearest are only 30 kilometres away. I haven’t seen them in 18 months.”
“All right. What was I doing?”
“Getting me a lovely cuppa tea with some of your lovely home-made shortbread biscuits, I hope. Best in the world to dunk. I used to dunk the ginger-nuts, but even they now seem too hard.”
“Of course. Now. I’ll get the jug boiling first. This lovely old silver teapot was given to me by my Gran. Makes the best tea. Gary’s wife is always trying to throw it out. I use all the replacements she’s bought as pot-plant holders though. Very handy.”
“Your kitchen’s well organized,” said Mary.
“I use what I’ve got. The sliding drawers in the deep freeze are perfect to keep the crockery nicely sorted and away from the flies. I don’t plug it in of course. Now the biscuits.”
“I love those lovely old decorated square biscuit-tins.”
“Yes. I store them in the microwave. The four fit nicely. I threw out that silly round plate and thing with stupid wheels. I don’t plug that in either.”
“I used to plug mine in. It kept perfect time. Then since the power cut, well I don’t any more. Maybe I’ll try and get some square tins too.”
“Here we are; all done. Just put the tea-pot on the cork mat on the coffee table. The sugar and spoons are in the drawer below the table. I’ll bring the cups, saucers and biscuits. No silver service with me, Mary.”
“Such a lovely table,” said Mary. “Such a pity the bottom of the back leg broke off.”
“Yes. But apart from the fact that it juts out a little bit, the notebook computer was the perfect thickness to put under it to balance it properly again.”
“Too true. Once you get to our age you have to adapt to use whatever you’ve got.”