OOM: New York City

[thisfatefulhour]

Thanksgiving, 1982

"We wish you could be here."

"I wish I could be there, too. I told you Professor Tan invited me to his family's dinner this afternoon, didn't I?"

"You mentioned it, I think. How did it go?"

"It was pretty nice. Very patriotic. It wasn't home, though, you know?"

"Next year, maybe your workload will be a little lighter."

"Junior year? Light workload? Sorry, Mother, I'm hearing words but they don't make any sense."

"Evidently it's been too long since I had a child in college. Oh, here's Meg, she wants to talk to you."

"Hello?"

"Meg!"

"Charles! How're you?"

"Still full from this afternoon. You?"

"Starving. And -- Poly, leave Ananda alone -- Calvin, can you--? Sorry."

"It's fine. Sounds like the whole family's there."

"It is. I think a butterfly flapped its wings somewhere."

". . . That's a terrible joke."

"Yes, but you're laughing."

"Granted."

"Anyway, I think Mother and Father are enjoying all this chaos. They're certainly pretty patient with Poly."

"I wish I could be there to see her."

"So do we. How have you been, anyway? I haven't heard from you in ages. Has anything interesting happened since the summer? . . . Charles?"

"A few things."

"Just a second -- okay. Like what?"

"It's too much to talk about over the phone, Meg."

"Are you all right?"

"I'm fine. Next time you and Calvin come to the City for a lecture you can look me up and make sure."

"Don't think I won't."

"I don't."

"Good, because -- oh, Lord, I have to help Mother in the kitchen. You should write me."

"I will. --Meg?"

"Still here."

"Love you. Take care of yourself."

"I love you, too, Charles. And the same goes for you, all right?"

"All right. Happy Thanksgiving -- tell everyone I send my love?"

"I will. Happy Thanksgiving."

Click.