I called home on my way out of work tonight, in a bit of a rush to talk to Cindy before 8 people showed up for dinner. Kenzie answered the phone and, in a rare turn of events, was chatty on the phone with me. Soon I could tell that she had taken the phone into her bedroom and I was receiving Top Secrets, such as the inner rituals of the playground game of Chase. It was an honor, for sure, but I was still on a timeline.

After probably 10 minutes of giddiness and detail, my time was evaporating. I really needed to talk to Cindy.

So, I asked. As I might have expected, Kenzie delegated the grunt work of transporting the phone:

Kenzie: "Mason, give this phone to Ama."

Mason: "Hello?"

Me: "Hi honey, hey, I need to talk to Ama, can you please give the phone to her?"

Mason: "Mom, do you want to listen to some music?"

Me: "No, thanks, I just need to talk to Ama."

[James Brown starts playing very loudly. Clearly the phone is next to the speaker.]

"I feel good, I knew that I would, now"

Me: "Mason? Mason? Mason!! Mason"

"I know that I can't do no wrong"

[2 more minutes of music]

Mason: "Mom, did you like that?"

Me: "Um, honey, thanks, but I really need to talk to Ama."

[more music]

Me: "Mason!? Mason!"

[pause]

Mason: "Hi Mom"

Me: "Mason, please, TAKE THE PHONE TO AMA."

[silence] [pause...] [click]


I call back. Phone rolls to voicemail.

I call Cindy's cell. She answers, I'm almost home.