The importance of the Question Mark
Is it a boy or girl? How much did she weigh? What did you name her? How long is she? Are you excited? Are you going back to work right away? What about daycare? Have you found someone to come in and watch her? How is your husband doing? Has he changed a diaper yet? Does he know how?
You are moving to a bigger place? Where? Is that a safe neighborhood? Is it expensive? How many bedrooms? Do you plan to have more children? So soon? Isn’t it harder when kids are so close together? Didn’t your Aunt Tara have five kids one after the other? How did she manage? Life in those times was harder, wasn’t it?
You are having a party? Adults only? Bring kids? Why? Is everyone bringing their kids? Do you know any sitters? Why do they charge so much nowadays? Is Harry bringing the new girlfriend? Have you met her yet? Is she a real blond? Do you think we should wear casual clothes or maybe dress up a bit more? What do you think of my wearing the white slacks I bought? I wonder if I can still fit in them?
What did you think of Marnie’s cookout? Who knew Joseph would drink like that? Do you think he meant what he said to Larry? Do you think they were all jealous because of Harry’s new girlfriend? Didn’t you think those shorts of hers were a bit much? Really?
What are you doing here? I haven’t seen you in how long has it been? Are you doing okay? Didn’t I see you coming out of the doctor’s office about a month ago? Medicine? What medicine? You saw me where? I remember that restaurant, or do I? Was it Annie’s Steak House? Did I speak to you? Was it raining that day? I appreciate that and you were wearing a bright green scarf, right? I wonder if I am losing it as I get older? You too and let’s try to talk again, right?
Are you working as hard as I seem to be? Still commuting? Life in the fast lane? It’s hard isn’t it? Remember when we were kids? We saw life as easier than this, didn’t we? Do you remember those long summer days when we played Sorry on your porch for hours? You don’t? Oh, that’s right, it was Scrabble, wasn’t it? Maybe I am forgetting more and more?
How are the kids? All in school? College costs killing you? Why did I want two kids so close together? They work hard but is college necessary? You are right of course, without that degree where would they find a good paying job? Maybe they should have been plumbers, mechanics, air conditioning repair people? I am kidding right? Don’t I always say how much I miss not having my degree? Why did I get married so young? Weren’t we all taught by our parents back then find a good man and settle down?
Am I retired? Yes, and you? Where are you living now? Nice place to live, but isn’t it really expensive? Did we move? Staying put, but down the road, who knows? My kids are all married, but did you hear that Susan is pregnant? Do we babysit for the grandkids? Yes, we love doing it and how about you? No grandchildren? What do you do for fun? Trips? Well trips to South America do sound wonderful, but don’t you like staying in the US especially now? No, you are brave to try that and you are not worried? Living for long stretches abroad? Wow, but for me not feasible unless you can find me a part-job there to supplement income? Am I kidding? Money has always been tight, but life can be fun too without it or at least I hope so?
How are you? Me? Did you hear about Dan? When did he die? Life seems so different without him, but how about Ted? What happened with his heart? He did? So now is he much better? Modern medicine is amazing, isn’t it? How many pills are you taking? Moved away? Where? Do you go visit them? Any grandchildren yet? I have five grandchildren now and three great grandchildren and am I lucky? I think so, but maybe you feel differently for yourself? Life is grand, isn’t it? We are both lucky, aren’t we?
