m., my phone rang.
Mom.
I watched it ring.
Then stop.
Thirty seconds later, she called again.
I answered.
Her voice was unusually cheerful.
“Hi, sweetheart!”
“Hi, Mom.”
“We’re here.”
“I know.”
There was a pause.
“How do you know?”
“I manage the property.”
Another pause.
“What does that mean?”
I smiled.
“Nothing. How’s the house?”
“Oh, it’s beautiful.”
“I know.”
Mom laughed nervously.
“Anyway, we’re settling in. Melissa says the kids are already in the pool.”
“Good.”
“Your sister was saying maybe you could come down next weekend instead.”
