A shame.
I smiled anyway.
I had my hand on the door when my phone buzzed. I didn’t look at it before answering. Only one person would call me this late.
“Hi, Mom,” I said.
“Oh good, you’re awake,” she said. “Can you check the weather for me?”
I closed my eyes and leaned my head back against the wood. Solid. Real. I held there.
“What weather?” I asked.
“At the port,” she said. “The one we’re supposed to dock at in the morning. Or is it evening there by you? I can’t remember.”
“You’re seven hours ahead,” I said. “It’s still the middle of the night for me.”
“Oh,” she said. “Right. Sorry, honey. Are you busy? You sounded far away.”
“I’m fine,” I said. “I’m on a weekend getaway with friends.”
“Oh!” she said. “That’s wonderful. I love that for you.”
“I know you do.”
“You work so hard,” she continued. “You deserve something nice. I’m really proud of you, you know that.”
That landed. I stood there and let it.
“Thanks,” I said. “Where are you exactly?”
She brightened. “On the ship. I had dinner with the Thompsons. Or maybe the Johnsons. Very nice people. The soup was excellent. Anyway, the captain said there might be some bad weather, and I thought I should check.”
“Okay,” I said. “What’s the port?”
She told me. I unlocked my phone and pulled up the forecast. It called for wind, a little rain, some swells. Nothing dramatic.
I took a screenshot and sent it to her.
“There,” I said. “You’re fine.”
“Oh good. I knew you’d be able to pull it up quickly. I’m sorry I woke you,” she added. “I forget you’re not just… there.”
“I’m there,” I said. “Just not on call.”
She laughed, light and unbothered. “Right. Well. Have fun with your friends. Be safe. Use protection.”
I stared at the wall. “I’m hanging up now.”
“Oh, don’t be dramatic,” she said. “I love you.”
“I love you.” I hung up and let my arm drop.
The hallway was quiet again.
I stood there for a second longer than necessary.
Well. That was a nice whiplash back to reality.
