Last Tuesday

The first phone call of the morning and the conversation that followed.
[17-03-09]

[pick up]

“Hello?”
“Hello. This is Dr. Henry Bryant’s office calling.”
“Hi.”
“Is this Shaun?”
“Yes it is.”
“Hi Shaun.”
“Hi.”
“I’m calling in regard to your outstanding balance.”
“Alright.”
[silence]
“Well I had talked to your mother a few months ago and she…”
“You talked to my mom?”
“Yes.”
“How is she doing?”
[silence]
“I’m not sure… you see, I called your mother to talk with her about the balance and she informed me that you’d be making monthly payments to us to pay off your balance.”
“Oh. Ok.”
[silence]
“Well we haven’t received any of those payments.”
“Yeah. I know.”
“You know?”
“It’s probably because she never told me that I’d be making these payments… because you called and told my mom to tell me to make payments.”
[long silence]
“Well, Shaun… this call is to inform you of that.”
“That you called my mom?”
“That we haven’t received payments.”
“I see.”
“Ok then?”
“Bryant… that’s the tooth doctor, right?”
“Umm, yes. Oral surgeon.”
“Yeah. Ok.”
[silence]
“Alright?”
“You guys sent me papers, right?”
“Yes, we sent bills to a 23784 Crossley avenue. Is that correct?”
“Yeah. I’ll get right on it then.”
“Ok, then.”
“Wonderful.”
“Ok sir- Have a nice day.”
“Thanks.”
“Buh-bye.”
“Bye”
[hang up]
[enter Laurie]
“Hey Shaun. You want coffee?”
[exit Laurie]
“Yeah.”
“What?”
“Yeah. Yes! …[enter Laurie] Coffee, please.”
[exit Laurie]
[silence]
[enter Laurie]
“Here you go.”
“Thank you.”
“How about that sun shine?”
“Yeah. How ‘bout it.”
“Sorry I didn’t bring you your coffee sooner. I didn’t want to interrupt your phone call.”
“That’s fine. No problem.”
[silence]
“You know, I’m bummed cuz it’s so beautiful out there and I’m cooped up in here until 8 tonight.”
“Yeah. Shitty.”
“You don’t use cream. Why did I put these down here?”
“I don’t know. It’s fine though. I’m not mad.”
“You know, yesterday was nice too but it’s supposed to be almost 70 today.”
“If it makes you feel better, it’s not as nice as they say it’s going to be.”
“Yeah… Not yet. [silence] Hey! You hear about Wayne yet?”
“Yeah I heard.”
“Ok, just makin’ sure.”
[silence]
“Can I order from you?”
“Yeah. Just one sec. I just had a table seat..”
[exit Laurie]
[long silence]
[enter Laurie]
“Ok. What can I get cha?”
“2 eggs over medium. Hash browns and wheat.”
“Alright.”
“Thank you.”
[exit Laurie]
[silence]
[enter Trish]
“Hey there Shaun.”
“Hey there Trish”
“More coffee?”
“Sure, Thank you.”
“Well, you’re very welcome dear.”
“So, how are you?”
“I’m good. I’m good. Did Laurie get your order?”
“Yeah. I’m taken care of.”
“Ok. Ok. Just making sure hun… Shame about Wayne, isn’t it?”
“Yeah.”
“You heard, right?”
“Yeah. Rocky told me.”
“Ok. Let me know if you need more coffee or anything.”
“Ok, thanks.”
[exit Trish]
[long silence]
[enter Laurie]
“Here you go. Here’s breakfast.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
[exit Laurie]
[long silence]
[enter Sharon]
“Hay man.”
“Hello Sharon.”
“Ya hear ‘bout Wayne?”
“Yeah.”
“Isn’t that some shit?”
“Pretty sad.”
“You ain’t kidding. I waited on his ass Wednesday morning’ I think it was.”
“Yeah.”
“When’d ya hear?”
[silence]
“Friday morning, I think.”
“Friday?!”
“Yeah. I was walking in the same time as Rocky and he asked if I wanted company for breakfast. I said sure and asked if he was waiting on Wayne and that’s when he told me.”
“Well that little shit bastard didn’t tell us ‘til Sunday.”
“He probably didn’t know how to tell you girls.”
“Hay! Rocky told him Friday!”
[silence]
[enter Laurie]
“He didn’t tell us until Sunday.”
“That’s what I told ‘em.”
“Why’d he tell you Friday?”
“He probably didn’t know how to break it to you. And, maybe he was waiting until he had more information to say anything.”
“Hmmm.”
[exit Laurie]
“Ya. Maybe. You want more coffee?”
“Sure. When’s the funeral?”
“Taday! Duh?”
“Oh. I haven’t seen rocky since he told me - He didn’t know then.”
“Ya. Taday at 2.”
“Wow.”
[silence]
“You done with this?”
“Uh, yeah. Yeah… I’m full thanks.”
“Yap.”
[exit Sharon]
[long silence.]