A Phone Call After Breakfast

Roger had just opened the morning paper to read with his coffee after a late breakfast when the phone rang.  He looked at the caller id that he always did now before answering because of the torrent of scam calls.  Ah, it’s Linny, he thought with some surprise.  Haven’t heard from her since the New Year’s party.  She came with her son, James.  Linny was a older cousin on his father’s side that he sporadically exchanged phone calls with but usually the only times that he saw her were at the family gatherings for celebrations and funerals.

—Hi Linny, he said.  What a surprise.  How have you been?

—Hello Roger.  I hope I’m not bothering you, but I didn’t know who else to call on a weekday morning and I thought you might be home because you’re retired like me.

—No, no bother, he said, but what’s going on with you?

—Oh Roger, I don’t know, but I just feel so strange.  Like there’s something wrong, but I don’t know what.

Oh, oh, thought Roger, instantly alert.—Are you feeling pain anywhere?  Are you dizzy or feel faint?  Are you breathing okay?

—No, it’s just that things don’t feel right.  I just don’t know what’s going on with me.   

—Any headache?  Any trouble moving or walking?

—No, I’m using the walker just fine this morning.

—How about eating?  Did you have breakfast, are you eating regularly?

—Yes, I had my yogurt this morning.  My helper got it for me and gave me my pills before she left.

—Did you feel like this while she was with you?

—No, I began to feel funny after she left.

—Did you call James at work?

—James went out of town.  I think to a conference.  And now I don’t know what to think.

—When did he leave?

—I think a few days ago.  I don’t remember when he’ll be back.

There’s her daughter Dari, Roger thought, though they don’t get along too well.  It’s been mostly James who looks in on her—How about Dari, did you give her a call? he asked.

— I tried to, but I couldn’t reach her.  That’s why I called you.  I didn’t know what else to do.  And you’ve always been friendly and spend time talking to me when we get together.  If only James Sr. was still here.  He always knew what to do. 

Jimmy has been gone five years, Roger thought.  But he always did take care of things.  Linny’s been a little lost without him.  

—How about your doctor’s office? he asked.

—I left a message, but no one’s called me back yet.  I just feel so worried and I don’t know why.

Roger thought, she sounds like she’s really bothered.  Maybe I better go see her if there’s no one else right now.  I can read the paper later.  But she may need some help now.  I remember Auntie Ruth before we realized she was getting Alzheimer’s.  How she was always anxious about everything.  And then the memory problems and the paranoia showed up.

—Linny, maybe I should come over and see what’s going on with you.  Is that okay? 

—I’m sorry to bother you  but that would be great.

—Okay, I’ll change and be over.  Roger thought, the traffic rush is over, should be a quick drive.  But what’ll I do if there’s something really bad going on?  

There was little traffic.  Roger worried as he drove the 12 minutes to Linny’s home.  I can call 911 if it looks like she’s having a stroke or heart attack.  I wish she could have gotten hold of Dari.  And she doesn’t remember when James will be back.  Linny was so insistent on staying in her own home.  Wouldn’t consider a retirement community.  Now what?  I hope it’s not Alzheimer’s.  I don’t think she’s got many friends still alive.  And she’s outlived her sisters.  James took away her car keys.  He never liked being called Junior, wanted to be called James.

Roger parked in her driveway and got out.  Bushes look well trimmed.  James or Dari must take care of the yardman.  He walked up to the door and pressed the button and heard her say in her normal voice, —Hold on, I’ll be there. 

She opened the door and Roger was relieved to see that she didn’t look sick or in pain.  Her hair is combed, she’s dressed neatly, her helper must have helped her get fixed up for the day before she left.

—Come in, come in.  It’s so good of you to come over.  She moved her walker aside so he could step in and remove his shoes.

—I’m glad to see that you look okay, Linny.  But what’s this about feeling strange?  

—I don’t know.  It’s like I’m in a dream.  Like I’m feeling pressure and I don’t know what will happen next, it’s weird like a dream, said Linny.  —But come sit by the dining table.  Don’t stand.  Take the padded chair.  She led the way pushing her walker.

The room looks neat and picked up, thought Roger as he followed her slowly. Her helpers are doing a good job.  

They sat facing each other at the small table and she smiled at him. —Can I get you some coffee?, she asked —Thank you so much for coming over to check on me.

—No thanks,  I just finished a late breakfast, more like brunch, when you called.  But do you still feel that strangeness now?

—No, now I’m beginning to feel like myself.

—Did you ever feel like this before?  Roger asked. 

—Maybe a little bit when Jimmy died.  But it’s just like I was so worried and I didn’t know what would happen next.  Do you ever get like that?  You sure you don’t want a cup of coffee?  How about some of these cookies?

—No thank you, I’m fine.  Well sometimes when I wake up at night to go to the toilet, and then my mind gets stuck on something and I get myself all worked up and can’t get back to sleep, Roger said.  But not often.

—Well, I’m glad to hear I’m not alone, if that’s the same thing you get.

—Yeah, it’s natural to sometimes get anxiety, said Roger.  —If that’s what you were feeling.

—I think that’s what I must have had, she said and smiled.  —But I am really so grateful that you took the trouble to come check on me.  I hope I didn’t mess up your morning.

—Well, I’m happy to see that you weren’t having a heart attack or a stroke, said Roger.  I hope it’s just that she got anxious that James was gone and that she didn’t know when he was coming back.  I wonder if she has any social contacts other than James or Dari and the helpers? —Do you ever get out now? he asked.

—If I need to go to the doctors, James or one of my helpers will drive me.  And James or Dari will have me over for lunch or dinner during the month.  I wish I could still drive.  But James took away my car keys after I had those two small accidents.  If I could drive, I could go out on my on.

—Well Linny, I don’t know how much longer I’ll be driving.  Just never know.  How about getting groceries and stuff you need?

—Oh I give a list of what I need to one of the helpers and then I write her a check. when she comes back from the store.  

—So you really don’t get out much.  I think she’s lonely. I should mention that to James when he gets back.  Maybe a senior day activities program might be good for her.  —Do you know when James will be back?

—I have it written down somewhere.  I’ll see if I can find it.

—That’s okay.  I can call his office and find out.

—If you do could you let me know?  

Linny looked very comfortable and happy as they spoke. 

I think it was an anxiety attack, thought Roger.  She looks great now.  Maybe I should try to phone her regularly and visit.   Even bring lunch over.  —Linny, I’m so relieved that you seem fine.  I’m going to go and have some lunch now.  But I will phone you to see how you are doing.  And I’ll give you a call to see when I can visit again.  Okay?

—Will you do that?  That would be so nice.  Thank you for coming this morning.  You set my mind at ease.  Let me give you some of these cookies to eat for after you have lunch.  

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