A Phone Call

Rrrrring 

“Hello, Thompsons,” I say, just like mom taught me.

“Hi, is your mom there?” The voice belongs to Shannon, or Mrs. Hunter as I’m supposed to call her, one of my mom’s friends.

“Yeah! I’ll go get her.”

“Thanks, kiddo.”

I sigh, it’s not that I don’t like Mrs. Hunter, I was just hoping for someone else.

Rrrrring

“Hello, Thompsons.”

“Hey, Tony! Can you come over today? My mom said it was alright.” 

Completely distracted from my hopes for a call that may never come, I sprint upstairs.

“Mom, mom! Jimmy just called and asked if I can go to his house. His mom already said it’s okay!” 

She looks up from the laundry and smiles, “You can go, just make sure to come home before supper,“ I roll my eyes; I always come back by supper – even when dad’s not here. “Have fun!”

Without pausing to say thank you, I rush out the front door.

Bedtime means dad reads a book, mom sings a song, and they both tuck my blankets in tight. 

Tonight mom does all three before she tells me she loves me, kisses my forehead, and goes back downstairs.

As soon as she leaves, I turn to my window and look for the moon (I’m going to live on the moon someday). My eyes find stars instead and I remember grandma saying if you wish on a star, it will always come true. I’m usually smarter than that, but tonight I mutter a quick wish just in case.

Rrrrring 

Rrrrring 

The noise wakes me up, but I close my eyes again and try to go back to sleep.

“Tony, Tony, wake up. Someone wants to talk to you.”

“Hello?” My eyes dart back to the stars. Could it be?

“Hey, son.”

“Dad,” I whisper.