A few evenings ago Lucille left a message for me to call her right away. It was important she said. I called her. No one answered. I was worried.
When I called again, Lucille told me in a voice, not her usual voice, but a somber, whispery voice that Ann Dunnellon was in a nursing home in California. She had fallen and broken her leg. Most likely she would never walk again and remain in the care facility for the rest of her life. Lucille asked me to call Ann, talk with her and keep her company, as she has no family in the area. “Oh no” I said "She was such a brilliant woman.” “Yes will you call her and keep her company?” Lucile asked and I said Yes.
I called the number Lucy gave me and asked for Ann. Of course Ann did not remember me, it must be at 30 years since Lucille held a reunion at her Issaquah farmhouse that called us all back together out of time and space.
We grew up in the same neighborhood and the 1940’s and 50’s. Ann was older than I and much more civilized. I was pretty much a street kid. I think I was hyperactive. My father would walk me out the door and tell me not to come home until the street lights came on until I got the idea that I was to play outside until dark. Actually I spent most of my afternoons and early evenings at Lucy’s house. Her mother Carmen did not think much of my father Walter. Never said so. I could tell.
Ann lived up 87th Drive to 144th, around the corner and three houses in. I hardly ever went there. She was older than I, calm and quiet and studious. I knew her by sight as I was none of those things and because I wanted to know everybody in the neighborhood.
I called Ann today. Of course she did not remember me. Not surprising> Many years have passed. “We can get to know each other now”, she said. We talked a little and I asked if I could call her again. “Yes” she said. And yes I will call her again.
— Julian
When I called again, Lucille told me in a voice, not her usual voice, but a somber, whispery voice that Ann Dunnellon was in a nursing home in California. She had fallen and broken her leg. Most likely she would never walk again and remain in the care facility for the rest of her life. Lucille asked me to call Ann, talk with her and keep her company, as she has no family in the area. “Oh no” I said "She was such a brilliant woman.” “Yes will you call her and keep her company?” Lucile asked and I said Yes.
I called the number Lucy gave me and asked for Ann. Of course Ann did not remember me, it must be at 30 years since Lucille held a reunion at her Issaquah farmhouse that called us all back together out of time and space.
We grew up in the same neighborhood and the 1940’s and 50’s. Ann was older than I and much more civilized. I was pretty much a street kid. I think I was hyperactive. My father would walk me out the door and tell me not to come home until the street lights came on until I got the idea that I was to play outside until dark. Actually I spent most of my afternoons and early evenings at Lucy’s house. Her mother Carmen did not think much of my father Walter. Never said so. I could tell.
Ann lived up 87th Drive to 144th, around the corner and three houses in. I hardly ever went there. She was older than I, calm and quiet and studious. I knew her by sight as I was none of those things and because I wanted to know everybody in the neighborhood.
I called Ann today. Of course she did not remember me. Not surprising> Many years have passed. “We can get to know each other now”, she said. We talked a little and I asked if I could call her again. “Yes” she said. And yes I will call her again.
— Julian
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