"I think mom died yesterday. They're telling me different things."
"Already? I thought things were still pretty stable."
"Maybe they took a sudden turn. I don't know. You need to call them."
"Yes, you're right."
***
"Hello?"
"Yes, I'm the son of Elizabeth Meisch. Can you tell me her condition?"
"I'm sorry sir, I'm afraid she has passed."
"When did this happen?"
"Two days ago I believe."
"Why wasn't I notified?"
"I don't know the answer to that I'm afraid. I'll go obtain that information."
"No, it's okay. That's not important."
"What would you like us to do now?"
"I need to get her affairs in order. Sorry I can't think right now. I'll call you back."
"We'll be waiting sir."
***
"Hello, it's me."
"What did you find out?"
"Nothing important. What do you think we should do?"
"I think we need to fly down there."
"How long do you think we'll be gone? I've got work."
"I don't know, weeks at--"
"But I've got--"
"Bob, you can't be thinking about work right now."
"I've got deadlines coming--"
"Bob! Work can wait. They'll understand. Make them understand."
"If I fall behind--"
"Bob! I can't believe you're saying this. This is mom we're talking about."
"But can't it wait? I've got things to take--"
"God, Bob, I can't believe you're doing this again."
She'd hung up. I walked back to my laptop and picked it up. No, I needed to rest.