Edith came home from the hospital today; her surgery went well, without issue, and now she’s home to rest for the next 8 weeks.  I’ll also be working from home for a couple of weeks, to help her out.

For the first time in over 25 years, I called Susan this morning.  I left a message, she returned my call c. 11:30, and we spoke for about 45 minutes or so before I had to take care of some issues Kate was having, although I felt that we could have gone on longer… it was almost surreal, in a way.

My heart was beating rapidly, and I was quite literally shaking when I decided to pick up the phone and call her (some things never change) and it took 3 attempts before I took a deep breath and hit the TALK button on the phone to send the call.  I listened to her voicemail recording, and left my message, somewhat disappointed but satisfied that I had done what I emailed Susan I would do, and called her.

I was carrying laundry upstairs when the phone rang, and I answered it in our bedroom, and then wandered throughout the house, totally in the zone of this conversation that I’d waited for so long to have.  Susan’s voice initially seemed different than I remembered, but eventually I recognized her distinctive lisp.  We talked about our lives, our families, our gardens… it was good, pleasant conversation.  Susan did thank me for being patient with her, and said that it had taken her a long time to see me as a friend and not a threat; I told her that was all I ever was, and that I have no expectations from her, which I believe is true, but it does make me wonder… I guess I do have an expectation in that Susan will actually help to build this rekindled friendship and really stop hiding from me…   we’ll see…  patience.

Lastly, Happy Birthday today to Nicole T!